The dog owners were issued multiple citations for violations relating to the incident, according to Pinellas County Animal Control.

ST. PETERSBURG – Three pit bulls that bit two residents and charged St. Petersburg police officers will be euthanized, according to Pinellas County Animal Control.

Two other pit bulls that were also running free were not classified as dangerous. One was turned into Animal Control to be evaluated for possible adoption. The other is being returned to the owners after it is vaccinated and licensed.

On July 3, Animal Services and the St. Petersburg Police Department responded to a report that five pit bulls were loose and had bitten two people on 21st Avenue S. When police responded and tried to round up the dogs, they charged officers who had to use fire extinguishers to force them away. (For a previous story about the incident, click here.)

After they were caught, the dogs were placed under a 10-day quarantine with Animal Services for staff members to conduct a “dangerous dog” investigation.

Based on the information gathered from victims during the investigation, three of the dogs were classified as dangerous in accordance with Pinellas County code and state statute. Upon investigation, it was determined that two of the dogs were at large during the incident but did not engage with or cause harm to the victims.

The dog owners were issued multiple citations for violations relating to the incident, including a citation for failure to properly vaccinate and license all five dogs.

The three dogs that were classified as dangerous were surrendered by the owners Thursday (July 13) to Animal Services for humane euthanasia. One of the dogs not involved in the incident has been surrendered to Animal Services for further evaluation to be placed for adoption. The other dog is being returned to the owners after proper vaccination and licensing.

For information about Pinellas Animal Services, go to pinellascounty.org.

To learn more about the definition of a dangerous dog in accordance with Pinellas County code and state law, click here.

File photo. Photo does NOT depict any of the dogs in the story.

Pinellas Animal Services | Dangerous Dog | Pit Bull Attack | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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