Newport News officer shoots dog that attacked kids

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A Newport News police officer shot and wounded a pit bull after it attacked two children. The dog's owner later had it euthanized.

Police spokesman Lou Thurston says the victims suffered minor injuries.

The incident occurred Wednesday evening at a residence.

Thurston says the dog nipped a 7-year-old girl in the abdomen and bit a 5-year-old boy in the hip area.

Officers went to the residence after the attack was reported. One officer approached the dog, it charged and he shot it.

The dog fled and was later found in a dog house. Newport News spokeswoman Kim Lee says the owner chose to have the dog euthanized, and no charges will be filed by Animal Services. Lee says the state Department of Health will conduct a rabies test.