Pit bulls attack police officer during arrest

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- A Columbia teenager was being held without bond Friday after his two pit bull terriers attacked a police officer.

The 34-year-old officer was bitten "at least seven" times, Columbia police Capt. Moon McCrary said. The unidentified officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment, then released.

Police said the officer responded to a domestic disturbance call at 1:54 a.m. Friday, and seemed to have matters under control when 17-year-old Charles Ayers became upset.

The report says Ayers ran toward a bedroom in the back of the house, and the officer followed. Ayers opened a bedroom door and released two pit bulldogs, police said, and one of the dogs began biting the officer as he tried to arrest the teen.

McCrary said the police department believes Ayers released the dogs intentionally, knowing they would attack the officer.

Ayers was arrested for first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, third-degree domestic assault and felony resisting arrest.

He was being held without bond at the Boone County Jail on the assault charge.

The dogs were taken by animal control for tests and observation, pending an investigation.