PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Police shot and killed a pit bull during a domestic violence call Thursday after it reportedly charged at two officers, authorities said.
Leslie Preston told KOIN 6 News she called police after her boyfriend allegedly tried running her over with a van on the 4000 block of NE Halsey Street.
Preston’s father was with her when police arrived on the scene. He was holding onto her two pit bulls with a rope leash when they reportedly charged at officers. The father was pulled onto the ground and the dogs escaped, police said.
“The dogs continued to charge the officers and one actually tried to bite one of the officers,” Portland police officer Chadd Stensgaard said. “Unfortunately, because of that one of the other officers had to shoot the dog to prevent them from getting bit.”
Preston said her 4-year-old pit bull named Blue Dozer wasn’t a bad dog.
“My dog thought that my health and safety was being threatened so he did go into protective mode,” she said. “He wasn’t a bad dog, he was just trying to protect me.”
Preston said she understands the officers were just trying to protect themselves.
“The officer did the right thing,” she said. “I don’t blame him.”