(April 30, 2003) -- A pit bull attacked a mother and daughter out for walk in NLB, events witnessed by a good samaritan driver who sheltered the pedestrians in her vehicle, while another person called 911, and a third person, faced with attack himself, shot and killed the dog.

Photo: LBFD Capt. Scott Clegg

LBFD Public Information Officer Capt. Scott Clegg told LBReport.com that Ms. Rosa Torres, 35, and her daughter Claudia de la Rosa, 6, were walking in the 6100 block of Gundry Ave. on April 29 when the pit bull, which appeared to be a stray, attacked them. The dog bit the mother in the arm while the mother tried to shield her daughter.

Ms. Priscilla Medina was driving in the area, saw what happened, swerved her GMC truck to reach to the mother and daughter, opened her door and yelled for them to get in. "Without this action, Rosa and her daughter could have been seriously injured," Capt. Clegg told us.

Ms. Medina pulled her car into a nearby driveway and motioned for a nearby gentleman to call for help. Mr. John Dick called 911 immediately. While calling 911, John's dog, a beagle, slipped under the fence and was confronted by the pit bull. John reached down, grabbed his beagle and kicked at the pit bull as it lunged at him.

Capt. Clegg said the pit bull then turned to another person who had arrived after hearing the commotion...with a gun in hand.

Capt. Clegg said that as the pit bull turned and began to lunge at the man, the man shot and killed the dog. Capt. Clegg indicated the man appeared very concerned about the dog but felt it necessary to protect both himself and his neighbors.

LBPD Public Information Officer Greg Schirmer told LBReport.com the Department has a responsibility to look into the matter, as it would for the discharge of any weapon in the city, and at this point there appears to be no wrongdoing.

Capt. Clegg said Ms. Torres was bruised on her left elbow but refused hospital transport. Her daughter was untouched. Animal control arrived and collected the dog.

Capt. Clegg urges adults to "remind all kids to quickly find shelter and stay away from any loose dogs, because this example could have ended with much more serious consequences."