Officers Shoot, Kill Pit Bull That Attacked K-9
December 3, 2008


WALNUT COVE, N.C. -- A Walnut Cove K-9 was injured Tuesday when a pit bull that belonged to a woman who police had pulled over for a routine traffic stop attacked the animal, Walnut Cove Police Chief James Hill told WXII12 News.



Hill said drug Officer Sgt. Chad Williams was attempting to do a sweep of the vehicle when the dog attacked. Officers fatally wounded the dog, but not before it inflicted injuries on the K-9.


Video obtained by WXII12 News shows Williams and the dog walking around the vehicle. The pit bull can be seen suddenly lunging at the K-9.

"I told them to keep their dog over there (or) I'd have to shoot the dog," Williams said. "They said they understood (and) that the dog was non-biting."

The K-9 was treated at the scene and is expected to recover. Williams said the dog suffered bruising, but no broken skin.

"(There were) no puncture wounds," he said. "(The dog is) taking medicine for the muscle tension and just in case he has any pain."

Hill said the woman, identified as 20-year-old Brittany Nicole Bullins, was charged with felony assault on a government official, underage possession of alcohol, misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen property. Another male in the vehicle was not charged.


Hill said it appeared Bullins had stolen alcohol from a Wilco Hess convenience store on North Main Street.

She was being held on a $1,000 bond.

Authorities said they were initially unable to find the injured pit bull, and didn't locate the animal until someone called police to notify them that the dead animal had been spotted about a block from the scene of the incident.