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Police: Pit bull shot, killed after biting 3 officers

BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Three officers shot and killed a pit bull at a Bellingham park Saturday night, police said.

Police responded to a skateboard park in the 1300 block of Civic Field Way after 7 p.m. to a report of an assault.

According to authorities, witnesses reported seeing a man hit a 16-year-old boy in the back of the head.

When an officer arrived at the location, he made contact with 27-year-old Joel Votion.

Police said Votion’s pit bull attacked the officer.

After other officers arrived to the park, they engaged with Votion and the pit bull, and the dog later bit three officers.

Police used a Taser on the dog, but it was not effective.

Three officers then shot and killed the pit bull.

The injured officers were treated and released from St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Votion was booked into the Whatcom County Jail for obstructing an officer.