Crime & Safety

Sheriff's Dept.: Pit Bulls Kill Goats, Attack Horse in Yucaipa, Before Charging at Animal Control Officer

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department says two of three attacking pit bulls were shot and killed by deputies.

A trio of pit bulls attacked a person's goats and horse in Yucaipa-- allegedly killing three of the animals before charging at an animal control officer before they were finally subdued, officials said.

The attacks happened around 8 a.m. Wednesday, at a home in the 12-200 block of 11th Street, near Yucaipa Blvd. and Oak Glen Road, according to Yucapia Police Department Sgt. Michael O'Brien.

Police got a report of "three large Pitbulls on the property that had just killed one of the homeowner's goats," O'Brien said in a sheriff's press statement.

"Upon arrival, deputies went to the rear of the residence and located the three dogs, still on the property and inside a secured pen with other goats," he said.  "As deputies approached the pen, they could see the dogs were still actively attacking the remaining goats."

At that time, the Animal Control Department was called out, who then tried to capture the dogs.

"Upon entering the pen, Deputies and Animal Control Officers were immediately confronted by the dogs," O'Brien said, adding that as animal control tried to wrangle in one of the dogs-- another one "charged to attack the officer."

"In defense of the officer, a deputy was forced to shoot and kill the charging dog," O'Brien said.  "As Animal Control Officers continued trying to subdue the same dog, the second Pitbull charged to attack the officers and deputies, forcing the deputy to shoot the dog."

The third dog was then contained, and removed by animal control, according to O'Brien.

When the dust had settled and deputies got control of the scene, they determined that three of the goats had been killed, the sergeant said.  What's more, they "...also found that prior to their arrival, the dogs had entered the homeowner's adjacent corral and attacked and injured a horse."

It's not yet clear to whom the dogs belong, but witnesses told sheriff's deputies they had seen them around before, engaged in aggressive behavior.

"None of the dogs involved were wearing any type of collar or tags to help identify their owners, however neighbors directed deputies to a residence on Ave D," O'Brien said.  "Deputies and Animal Control Officers went to the residence in an attempt to contact the owners however, no one was found to be home."

The surviving goats and horse were treated by a veterinarian who came to the 11th Street home after the attack, according to O'Brien.   It wasn't immediately clear what the fate of the third Pitbull was, though Patch has placed calls to the San Bernardino County Animal Control Department.

Sheriff's officials say the investigation is ongoing.  Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Yucaipa Sheriff's Station at (909) 790-3105.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.