Dog euthanized after it mauls girl, attacks officers

Police in Riverside County shot a dog, which was later euthanized, after it mauled a 9-year-old girl and attacked officers, authorities said Wednesday.

The girl suffered a serious leg wound after the pit bull mix dog attacked her and another girl at a shopping center Tuesday evening in Coachella near Avenue 48 and Jackson Street, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department said. The girl was taken to a hospital by paramedics.

The other girl, 12, had minor injuries and was taken by a relative to a local hospital, officials said.

Officers found the animal at a nearby restaurant and called for an animal service officer.  The dog attacked the officers, prompting one of them to open fire with his handgun, authorities said.

The dog was about 2-years-old and had no identification tags, the Riverside County Department of Animal Service said. The animal was shot in two legs. The animal was taken to a local lab to be tested for rabies after it was euthanized.

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Map shows area where the dog attacked the girls. Credit: Google Maps.