Police Shoot Pit Bulls Following Attack on Mom and Son

Three pit bulls that attacked a mother and her son early today at a Newport Beach hotel were later shot and killed by police, an official reported.

Police responded to the attack at about 5:30 a.m. at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas. Witnesses told police the pit bulls were traveling in a pack and were last seen running on the golf course. An officer located the dogs a short time later on Newport Coast Drive just north of East Coast Highway.

"When the officer exited his vehicle to approach the dogs they immediately charged him, forcing him to retreat back into his vehicle," Kathy Lowe, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department, said in a released statement. "All three dogs began aggressively attacking the police vehicle."

Additional police officers and an animal control vehicle responded to the scene and tried to safely corral and capture the pit bulls, but were unable to get out of their vehicles because of the dogs' aggressive behavior.

"Officers were not only concerned for their own safety, but more importantly this location is frequented by joggers, cyclists, golfers, and many others," Lowe said. "After assessing the vicious and aggressive behavior of these pit bulls, and in the interest of public safety, the supervisor on scene authorized the officers to euthanize the dogs."

The female victim and her son were transported to a local hospital and the extent of their injuries was unknown, Lowe said. The dogs were taken to the Orange County Animal Shelter, but did not have tags or microchips.

Anyone with information about the pit bulls are asked to contact Newport Beach Animal Control at 949-622-2608.