Dog killed after attacking 3 people in 2 weeks

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A dog that attacked three people in the last two weeks was killed Sunday by a Sikeston Department of Public Safety officer.

On June 13, a White Japanese Akita was seized after biting its owner and the owner's friend.

The owner's "left hand was bitten by the animal, biting off the tip of the owner's index finger. The friend received bites to his upper right arm/shoulder area," department public information officer Capt. Jim McMillen said in a news release.

Sikeston code enforcement officers took possession of the dog, which was taken to the animal shelter to be monitored for disease. The animal remained there until Sunday, when it escaped confinement and attacked a worker. The worker had severe bites on both hands, and the tip of his left middle finger was bitten off, McMillen said.

The dog, which police said was still in an aggressive state, was found in a field not far from the shelter, McMillen said.

The dog was killed to prevent it from injuring more people, McMillen said.

Pertinent address:

Sikeston, Mo.