Officers Attacked by Vicious Dog

Los Angeles:  A K-9 Officer assisting police from the Southeast Gang Enforcement Detail (GED) in a suspect search was attacked by a Pit Bull when it broke out of an adjacent area thought to be secure.

On Saturday, May 27, 2006, around 11:05 p.m., Southeast Area officers were driving in their marked police vehicle in the area of Vermont Avenue and 93rd Street, when they saw a juvenile in violation of a curfew violation.

The youth tried to get away from the officers and ran south on 93rd Street, then into the driveway of a residence at 820 West 93rd Street.  Officers established a perimeter in the area and requested the assistance of a K-9 unit before continuing to look for the suspect.

Prior to entering the backyard, the police noted the presence of a large Pit Bull enclosed in a kennel.  After officers had completed their search of the yard and left to investigate an adjoining property, the Pit Bull crashed out and charged them.  Officer Steven Carnevale, 29, saw the charging animal and drew his sidearm in time to fire one shot, striking the dog in the shoulder.  The dog bounced off a fence and continued in the officer’s direction.  Officer Carnevale then fired a second shot, striking the Pit Bull a second time, whereupon the dog collapsed and died.

No officer was injured in this incident.  The shooting is being investigated by Metropolitan Division.

Officer Carnevale has 16 years with the Department.

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