Pit Bull Got Loose, Attacked Another Dog, Was Licensed, Vaccinated: Beaumont Police

A pit bull got loose and attacked another dog in Beaumont the evening of March 21, and the woman walking the other dog got bit on a hand as she tried to separate the dogs, police said Tuesday.

The incident occurred about 7 p.m. in the area of Sundance Drive and Star Light Avenue, south of Oak Valley Parkway, Beaumont spokeswoman Darci Mulvihill said.

A 13-year-old boy was walking his two pit bulls when the leash broke, said Mulvihill and Beaumont police Sgt. Jeremy Dorrough.

"One of his dogs got free and attacked another dog, which was bit on its leg and neck," Mulvihill said.

The other dog was German shepherd, Dorrough said, and it sustained minor injuries.

The German shepherd's owner was bit on the hand when she tried to separate the dogs. Her injuries were minor and she declined medical treatment at the scene, Mulvihill said.

Both pit bulls were licensed with the city of Beaumont and had current vaccinations, Mulvihill said. They were released to the owner that same day, Dorrough said.

The pit bull that got loose is quarantined at home for 10 days, according to state law, Mulvihill said.

Animal care personnel followed up with the pit bulls' owner on March 22 to check for municipal code violations, Mulvihill said. No code violations were found.

"It was an innocent mistake," Dorrough said. "The dogs didn't attack the human. They did what dogs do, got into it with another dog."

Dorrough is supervisor of animal control - also known as animal care services - for Banning, Beaumont and Calimesa.

Anyone in need of animal control assistance may call Beaumont police dispatch at (951) 769-8500, or 911 in the event of an emergency.