Dog attacking woman fatally shot by police

Deputies in Martin County say they were forced to shoot and kill an American Bulldog after it viciously attacked a woman Monday morning.

It happened shortly after 5 a.m. in the 5600 block of Southeast Matousek Street in Stuart as a woman was walking her son’s dog, Otto, a 105 pound, 4-year-old American Bulldog, said Sheriff William Snyder.

While apparently trying to chase a rabbit, the dog yanked the leash which sent the woman tumbling to the ground. Shortly afterward and for reasons that aren’t known, the dog turned and attacked the woman, biting her head several times and viciously biting her body, Snyder said.

Covered in blood, the woman, whose identity was not released, managed to get away and crawl into a screened in room.

“It wasn’t just a bite or two, he was mauling her,” Snyder said.

A neighbor saw the attack and called 911.

Deputies arrived to find Otto “extremely aggressive” and blocking a path to the woman.

“The victim was screaming for help and even at one point, urged the deputies to shoot the dog,” Snyder said.

That’s when a deputy armed with a 12-gauge shotgun shot and killed the dog and then began to give the woman first-aid, said Snyder who added that American Bulldogs are not known to be aggressive or ferocious.

“We don’t get calls on them,” Snyder said.

“I don’t remember the last one I saw. I looked them up and they’re listed as a loyal, friendly dog.”

Officials were checking the dog’s record with animal control to see if his shots and vaccinations were up to date.