Off-duty Northwoods police officer shoots pit bull that attacked owner

NORTHWOODS, Mo. (AP) -- A pit bull is shot by an off-duty police officer after the dog turned on its owner.

The dog survived and animal control authorities were still deciding whether to euthanize it.

The Northwoods officer was at a beauty salon when she noticed a disturbance Wednesday afternoon. The dog had attacked its owner. Another witness tried to stop the attack by hitting the animal with metal pliers, but the dog would not release its hold.

The officer says that when she saw the dog lunging for the owner's neck, she shot the animal. When the dog then began to move toward the officer, she shot it again.

The owner's injuries were described as minor. She did not require hospital treatment.