APD Officer Shoots, Kills Pitbull

An Alameda Police Department officer shot and killed a pitbull moments after arresting a man in connection with an argument between neighbors late Sunday afternoon, according to an APD bulletin.

The APD said a caller reported a disturbance between two men on the 3200 block of Fiji Lane at 5:44 p.m. Sunday, April 1. The caller said his neighbor had brandished a knife during an argument, according to the APD.

An officer located the suspect in the street near his open garage door and detained him without incident, the APD said. A woman came out of the suspect's home to ask what was going on, and a one and a half-year-old pitbull followed her out, police said.

The dog began to charge the officer, who was holding the suspect with one hand, police said. The suspect yelled for the woman to control the dog, and she grabbed the pitbull, but it broke free and again charged at the officer, the APD report said.

Police said the officer feared he would be bitten or mauled, so he shot at the pitbull with his duty weapon, killing the dog.