Pit bull attacking 13-year-old girl shot by police

Villa Park police shot a pit bull Monday night they say attacked the foot of a 13-year-old bicyclist and refused to let go.

The girl was riding her bike around 7 p.m. near the Iowa Community Center, 338 N. Iowa Ave., when the dog chased her and grabbed onto the bike, Villa Park police Lt. Mike Lay said.

It forced the girl to stop, then bit her on the shoulder and she attempted to run toward the recreation center, he said.

The male dog, which had gotten out of its owner's yard in the 400 block of North Iowa Avenue, then pursued her and grabbed her foot, refusing to release it, Lay said.

When police arrived, the dog still would not release the girl's foot and was shot once and killed by the officer.

Lay said the girl was taken to an area hospital but he did not know her condition.

He also did not know if there were previous incidents or problems reported with the dog or if it had previously escaped.

Police are still investigating the attack, he said.