Clovis cops kill canine

A Clovis police officer shot a pit bull dog that attacked two city workers Wednesday in the 1800 block of Debra St., according to a police report.

About 12:08 p.m. Wednesday, Officer Thomas Rollins responded to a dispatch call to help capture a pit bull at 1830 Debra St., the report said.

Rollins found city Animal Control Officer Marty A. Martinez and city building inspector Terry Martin behind their vehicles. Martinez told Rollins the dog had attacked him as he attempted to capture it.

The brown and white dog, wearing a black, studded collar with the end of a green strap attached, was sitting between two vacant houses at 1830 and 1828 Debra St. “viciously barking” at them. Officer Paul Crowe arrived at the scene shortly after Rollins, the report said.

Martinez and Martin attempted to capture the dog with rope loops on the end of sticks and Rollins sprayed him twice with pepper spray. After being sprayed, the dog backed up to a gate between the two houses, but then lunged at Martinez, grabbing the rope in his mouth and attempting to bite Martinez’ leg, Rollins said.

After the dog turned to attack Martin, Rollins shot him twice. He shot the dog a third time when it attempted to attack him “straight on,” he said.

The dog was shot once in the right shoulder and twice in the right hip. After the third shot, the dog lay down and died at a gate between the two houses, the report said.

Martinez said the green strap matched one found in the backyard of 1824 Debra St. It appeared the dog had chewed the leash to get loose and out of the yard through a hole in the fence, he said.