Elderly woman attacked by dog

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - An officer had to shoot a pit bull Sunday afternoon after the animal attacked an elderly woman on the northeast side of the city.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and Animal Control responded to the area of 58th and Rural streets for an animal report. 

When officers approached the area they saw a resident flagging them down. They learned from the resident that an elderly woman was being attacked by a large pit bull, IMPD public information officer Michael Hewitt says.

Police say the animal was on top of the woman, biting her legs. As the officer approached the dog he heard the woman screaming, "Kill him, he's trying to kill me," according to a police report.

The officer attempted to lure the dog away from the woman and attempted to use pepper spray.

The dog ran to attack the officer. The officer shot the dog twice in a safe manner to the ground. After two attempts, the pit bull still ran to attack the officer.

It took a third shot to kill the dog.

The woman, who has been identified as 86-year-old Veta Snyder, was taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital in serious condition. She had several severe dog bites on her arms and legs.