Woonsocket Police Shoot Charging Pit Bull While Serving Warrant

Two Woonsocket police officers looking for a man with an active arrest warrant shot a pit bull that growled and charged at them on Monday, police said.

The pit bull was later euthanized by Animal Control.

Police said the incident happened at around 2:40 p.m. when officers went to 290 Sayles St. looking for Richard Vien.

As police approached a camper, the dog charged from the camper and "began viciously growling and snarling" according to reports. 

The two officers backed away but the dog continued to charge them so the both fired their weapons, police said.

The dog was mortally wounded and Animal Control made the decision to end its suffering by euthanizing it.

The incident is under internal investigation.