Off-duty officer shoots, kills pit bull

PASADENA, Md. (WMAR) - Anne Arundel County Police are investigating the shooting of a pit bull by an off-duty Maryland Transportation Authority Officer.

Officers were called to the area of Vena Lane and Notley Road in Pasadena on Sunday at about 11:00 a.m. for reports of an aggressive animal.

When police arrived, they found an off-duty MdTA officer had shot and killed a pit bull that was attacking him.

The preliminary information shows that the dog had escaped from a home on Vena Lane. The dog appeared aggressive, growling and approaching residents in the neighborhood.

A resident asked the off-duty officer for help. The officer was attempting to guide the dog back to its home when it charged and attacked the officer's leg.

The officer drew his departmental weapon and fired, striking the dog.

The dog then ran and collapsed a few yards away.

The officer received minor injuries to his leg. MdTA police say that officer used his weapon in an approved manner and will not be suspended from the force.