Rescue teams are searching for a pit bull that may have been shot after it attacked and bit a San Diego police officer on the leg in the Balboa Park area Monday afternoon.

 

The incident occurred at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday in the 3000 block of Balboa Drive. Two officers from the San Diego Police Balboa Park team entered the canyon to contact some homeless individuals in a camp who had made offensive comments to park visitors, according to the SDPD.

 

When the officers approached the tent, the pit bull lunged and bit one of the officers twice on the leg. The officer then drew his gun and shot at the dog, the police department confirmed.

 

Initially, officers were unsure if the dog had been hit because it rolled further into the canyon before running off, and rescue teams were searching for it. In an update, the SDPD reported that the dog is alive, stable, and receiving care at a local veterinary clinic. The bitten officer was also taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.

 

San Diego Humane Society officers were also on the scene to assist in the search for the pit bull. Officers detained a man and a woman in connection with the attack, according to the police department. Police will charge the couple if it is determined that they commanded the dog to attack.