PRESS RELEASE — On Monday, 5/23/2016 at 1:14 p.m. Officer K. Norton of the Pinehurst Police Department responded to W. Harding Circle in Pinehurst in reference to a vicious dog. It was reported that while a neighbor was mowing her yard she observed two Pit Bull dogs acting in a very aggressive manner attempting to break through the privacy fence of an adjacent home. She attempted to hold the boards in place to prevent the animals from escaping and was eventually able to get back to her residence and telephone authorities. Once Officer Norton arrived, efforts were made to secure the wooden fence and contact the owner of the animals. Prior to making contact with the dog owner, one of the dogs broke through the fence and charged Officer Norton and several citizens in an aggressive manner. Officer Norton discharged his weapon and killed the animal before anyone was harmed. No charges are expected to be filed against the dog owner. This is the 3^rdincident in 6 days involving Pit Bulls within the City of Pinehurst, one of which resulted in serious bodily injury to a male subject who was attacked by a dog he was housing on his property for breeding purposes. He remains hospitalized.

Pinehurst Police Chief Fred R. Hanauer III reports that statistically, in America, dog bite losses exceed $1 billion per year. In 2015, 35 Americans were killed by dogs, down from 42 the prior year. Each year, more than 350,000 dog bite victims are seen in emergency rooms across the United States and approximately 850,000 victims receive medical attention. Hanauer urges dog owners to properly maintain their dogs and abide by any laws or ordinances pertaining to animals in your area. He urges Pinehurst citizens to report any dogs you see at large whether you believe them to be vicious or not. If you feel a dog may be vicious, do not approach it and call for animal control at 409-886-3873 or the police department at 409-886-2221. (24 hours)