Cincinnati police officer shoots dog during attack on another dog at 5K race

CINCINNATI, Ohio — A police officer shot and killed an unleashed dog that was attacking another dog during a 5K race Saturday, according to reports.

The incident occurred at about 11 a.m. Saturday at the Bockfest 5K race in the city’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, WCPO Channel 9 reports. Police tell WLWT Channel 5 an officer noticed two dogs fighting at the corner of an intersection.

Fox 19 reports an unleashed dog was attacking a dog on a leash and the owner of the leashed dog was unable to stop the attack, getting bit in the hand in attempts to separate them.

The police officer fired a shot at the unleashed dog but it continued its attack, reports say. The officer fired a second shot, causing the dog to stop. It was taken to a vet but died of its wounds, WLWT reports.

The leashed dog also was taken to a vet for treatment of “numerous lacerations,” Fox 19 reports. The leashed dog also was struck by a bullet that had passed through the attacking dog, reports say. It is expected to recover. No other injuries were reported.

WLWT says a police department investigation determined the shooting by the officer was justified.