A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a pit bull that was attacking a man in Lancaster on Monday, July 20. The incident occurred at approximately 9:53 a.m. in the 43200 block of 20th Street West, where deputies found the man unresponsive in a fenced yard with a locked gate. The dog, owned by a family member who lived with the victim, was described as 'actively and viciously' attacking the man. After verbal commands failed, the deputy shot the dog, stopping the attack. The man was transported to a local hospital and listed as stable. The cause of the attack remains under investigation. Animal Care and Control took custody of the dead dog.
Deputy’s Actions and Response
Lancaster Station Capt. Paul Bartlett praised the deputy’s actions, stating that they encountered a life-threatening emergency and acted decisively to save the man’s life. Deputies provided medical care until firefighters arrived. The incident follows a similar fatal dog attack in Lancaster last July, where a deputy also shot a pit bull to allow paramedics to access the victim, who later died from injuries.
Investigation and Context
Authorities are investigating the cause of the attack. The dog belonged to a family member who lived with the victim. In February, a woman died from injuries sustained while intervening in a dog attack involving her 5-year-old son in San Bernardino County. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department did not provide updates on the victim’s condition as of Tuesday, July 21.