LAUDERHILL, FLA. (WSVN) - Police are investigating a dog attack in Lauderhill.
A dog reportedly attacked a woman on the 1800 block of Northwest 54th Terrace, Tuesday morning.
Around 7 a.m Michele Webbe and her little dog named Jupiter had an encounter with a loose pit bull in her Lauderhill neighborhood.
An officer was patrolling the area when he saw Webbe get attacked by the pit bull mix.
“I felt like I was literally being mauled to the ground,” said Webbe.
“She was walking her own dog, and it appeared that the Pitbull was trying to get at her dog,” said Lauderhill Police officer Michael Santiago, “so she picked up her dog, was carrying her dog, while the pit bull began attacking her.”
“Police heard me screaming,” said Webbe. “
The officer ran toward Webbe and jumped a fence to shoot the dog.
Despite the violence and through the pain, she kept Jupiter protected and up high enough to not get bit.
“I just didn’t want to put my dog down,” said Webbe. “It’s just terrifying, so then I started screaming, ‘Come help me, like, please! Somebody please help me!’ I literally had him like this.”
Police said that if it wasn’t for the officer’s quick actions, the dog could have continued its attack.
“The officer immediately jumped into action when he saw that,” said Santiago. “He scaled [the fence] with all of his equipment on, his utility belt and all, was able to get over and actually engage the dog. If there’s no other means to remove the dog from the attack itself, the officer has to take action.”
Police said the dog ran back inside its home after being shot.
“At the time, that’s what the officer felt he had to do,” said Santiago. “He was forced to take action to save the female from actively getting attacked by this dog.”
The pit bull was taken to a nearby vet to be treated.
7SkyForce hovered over the scene where three women could be seen carrying the dog in a crate.
“We are always advising pet owners to ensure that they control their dogs, they train them and they properly secure them, so that they don’t get loose,” Santiago said. “Animals are going to be animals.”
Webbe was rushed to the hospital and treated for several bites and puncture wounds.
“He grabbed my leg and bit me, gorged to my foot,” said Webbe. “This is like 4-5 inches deep.”
She also got several rabbis injections.
“I really want to thank that police officer that jump that tall fence with the spikes,” said Webbe. “I need to know his name, I need to get him a thank you card and a gift. I really, really, need to.”
In the meantime, she’s thankful to have her Jupiter safe, uninjured and in her arms.
“He means a lot to me. He’s my baby,” said Webbe.
It also remains unclear what will happen to the pit bull.
Police have not said what charges, if any, will be filed.
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