Maybe you’ve already seen reports on this police-involved shooting of an angry pit bull. But the details are worth getting into. According to a D.C. Police Department press release, 2D cops responded last night to the 3400 block of Quebec Street NW to investigate a call concerning a dog-bite victim.

Before the police arrived on scene, a witness heard the victim scream for help. He managed to pry the pit bull off the victim and get the dog back in its cage.

D.C. Animal Control and DC Fire/EMS responded to the scene. The victim, an adult female, was admitted to a local hospital in stable condition.

So what about the dog?

D.C. Police write:

“During the investigation of the incident, the dog reportedly became aggressive and got out of the cage. Animal Control employees made several unsuccessful attempts to secure the dog. The dog then charged towards one of the responding officers. Fearing imminent danger for his safety and the safety of others, the officer fired his service weapon, striking and injuring the dog.

Animal Control officers were then able to secure the dog, which has subsequently been euthanized.”

The press release quotes Police Chief Cathy Lanier praising both the citizen who rescued the woman and the police officer who shot the dog.

“This is a tragic incident,” said Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier. “I commend the man, who put his own life in danger and stepped in to assist the victim in this violent dog attack. I also want to recognize the sergeant who stopped the dog from attacking anyone else.”