BREVARD COUNTY -- Police in Brevard County killed a pit bull that they said tried to attack them after it had already attacked a young girl and her grandfather.

It happened Wednesday morning near the 1500 block of Van Buren Avenue.

A woman called the police and said her husband and granddaughter had been attacked by a pit bull that was roaming the street.

The woman said the dog grabbed her granddaughter by the shoe. That’s when the grandfather began hitting the dog. The two managed to break away.

Officers encountered the dog’s owner as they arrived to the victims’ home. Officers said the dog became aggressive when they tried to secure it.

"As the officer was getting out of his patrol car, the dog charged at him from the rear of the vehicle," said Sgt. Jim Richmond. "It is an unfortunate situation however this dog was a significant threat to anyone that came near it."

One of the officers fired three rounds at the dog. The dog ran into a wooded area where it was later found dead.

Officials said they have not yet determined if the owner will face any civil fines in connection with the incident.

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