Deputies shoot dog during foot pursuit of theft suspect in Sunland

SUNLAND, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A dog was shot Thursday afternoon during a foot pursuit in the Sunland area of Los Angeles after it attacked one of the deputies, sheriff's officials say.

The incident happened in the 8100 block of Foothill Boulevard, near the Sunland Park Recreation Center, around 4:30 p.m. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department says that deputies from its Crescenta Valley Station Summer Crime Enforcement Team were chasing someone wanted for theft, but as they were detaining the suspect, a pit bull attacked one of them.

That's when a deputy shot the dog. The sheriff's department said one deputy used less-lethal force, deploying a Taser on the dog, but it had no effect. Then, when the pit bull continued to attack, a deputy opened fire.

The dog was taken to a nearby veterinary hospital for medical care, in unknown condition. The Sheriff's department says the dog belonged to the suspect.

"This is an unfortunate incident, and I applaud the deputies for their extraordinary efforts to de-escalate the situation with the animal before resorting to potentially lethal force," said Captain Ryan A. Vienna.

Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to call LASD Detective Salvador Ponce at (818) 248-3464.