A dog that attacked its owners would not loosen its grip on one of them until a Philadelphia police officer shot it early Thursday morning, authorities said.
The pit bull mix had latched onto a 41-year-old man's arm at the corner of Fifth and Venango streets when police arrived around 1 a.m., FOX29 reported. He also had suffered bites on his neck, torso and legs.
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His sons, ages 18 and 19, had tried hitting the dog with a baseball bat, but police said this only made the dog bite harder, 6ABC reported. It finally released the man after it was shot once in the side.
The man's 38-year-old wife also was bit and suffered a severe leg wound. They both were taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment.
Police said the dog survived the shooting and was retrieved at the scene by animal control. The attack will be investigated by animal control and the SPCA.