MIAMI (WSVN) - Dashcam video showed the moment an officer fired several shots at two dogs after one charged at her. One woman was hospitalized after she was bitten by one of the dogs.
City of Miami Police units arrived at the scene of the attack along Northwest Fourth Avenue, near 65th Street, Friday morning.
Neighbors said they heard the woman’s screams and rushed to help her.
“And the guy behind her, he heard it too and they bit him,” said good Samaritan Emanuel Wooders.
Other neighbors said they witnessed the mauling.
“They throw that woman on the floor, and they were on top of her,” said a neighbor. “Luckily, this guy came out here with a bat and run them away.”
The victim, Gema Garcia, was bandaged up in an ambulance and was rushed to the hospital by Miami Fire Rescue crews.
Friday afternoon, Garcia showed her injuries through FaceTime from her hospital bed.
Speaking in Spanish, she told 7News that she was badly bitten on her arms and legs. She also suffered injuries to her knee and foot.
Garcia is now fearing for her life, as well as the safety of others.
“I’m really afraid now,” she said. “Can you imagine? These are very aggressive animals. As soon as they saw me, they attacked me. Imagine the people that live in the area.”
Meanwhile, during the incident, officers attempted to corral the dogs as they waited for animal control.
The dogs were then seen on dashcam footage charging at the officer who was forced to fire. When the shots were fired, the canines were seen running away.
“The officer felt in danger and discharged the weapon a few times,” said Miami Police, Capt. Freddie Cruz.
“‘Bam, bam, bam,’ and maybe the noise made them go away,” a neighbor said.
7News cameras captured evidence markers that were placed at the scene where shell casings were found.
It is unclear whether or not any dog was struck.
Neighbors were shaken up about the entire experience.
“We have kids around here playing all the time,” said a resident. “I’ll go to the garbage with my daughter; it could have easily been one of us.”
Neighbors in the area told 7News that there is an abandoned home where several stray dogs have been seen.
One of the dogs was returned to its owner, who has been was issued three citations in the past, That dog remains in quarantine.
As for the other dog, officials said it remains at large. It is a female, medim-sized terrier mix with brown fur. A watch order has been placed in the area.
Authorities urge anyone who sees any dangerous dog to seek shelter and call 911.
Police continue to investigate the incident.
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