(Council Bluffs, Iowa) – Officials with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, Friday,  say a deputy used his service weapon, Wednesday, to shoot and injure a dog that had been acting aggressively and attacked a child. In a press release, the sheriff’s department said at around 3:30-p.m., Wednesday, a Pottawattamie County Deputy was attempting to serve a civil paper in Council Bluffs. The Deputy was told that the owner of the dog was just at the house, but was out trying to catch his dogs that ran from the residence. The Deputy observed an adult male in a blue truck trying to catch a pit bull that was white in color with brindle on its shoulders.

The Deputy was attempting to give this male his paperwork when the dog ran at the Deputy in an aggressive manner. The Deputy retreated to his cruiser and the owner advised the Deputy he was going to try and catch the dog and the Deputy followed to assist. The dog ran south across the street. The Deputy went around the block and observed the dog halfway up the hill on Union Street. The dog then ran down the hill and charged at a juvenile male who was walking on East Pierce. The Deputy began honking his horn to distract the dog from the juvenile.

The dog jumped up on the juvenile and tried to bite him. The Deputy was able to chase the dog away using his patrol vehicle. The Deputy exited his vehicle and went to the juvenile to check on him when the dog returned in an aggressive manner. The dog returned this time showing his teeth and growling. It was at this moment the Deputy drew his firearm and fired a single round at the dog that was now a few feet away. The dog then ran east between the homes. The Deputy immediately requested additional assistance.

The Deputy confirmed that the juvenile was not physically harmed by the dog. The Deputy collected witness information as additional law enforcement arrived in the area to locate the fleeing dog. The Sheriff’s office was notified that the dog was located a short time later. Council Bluffs Animal Control took custody of the dog and it was turned over to its owner at a later time. The dog had a gunshot wound to its right shoulder.