UPDATE: San Francisco police officers shot a man and his dog this afternoon near Union Square following an alleged dog bite incident. The police department confirmed that officers were called to the scene at 4:27 PM after a victim reported being bitten by a large, off-leash dog.
Witnesses reported chaos as the incident unfolded at the intersection of Market and O’Farrell streets. The police statement indicated that the dog continued to display aggression towards others in the vicinity, prompting officers to take action. During the attempt to arrest the man and secure the aggressive dog, both were shot.
The man was treated by paramedics on-site and subsequently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Meanwhile, the dog fled but later returned to the scene, where it reportedly bit one of the responding officers, who suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Animal Care and Control has since taken custody of the dog. The initial victim of the dog bite went to the hospital independently for treatment.
This shooting is now under investigation by multiple city agencies, including the district attorney’s office and the San Francisco Police Department’s internal affairs division. As per protocol, a public town hall will be held within the next ten days to provide further details on the incident.
With tensions running high and questions surrounding police conduct, this incident underscores ongoing concerns about public safety and animal control in urban areas. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
