Police Shoot Pitbull on Chestnut Street

A man was rescued from a pitbull attack on Chestnut Street June 26 by bicycle patrol officers, who tried to intervene before shooting the dog.

According to a police narrative:

At about 11 a.m. two bicycle patrol officers were on routine patrol on the bike path where it crossed Chestnut Street. They had stopped to speak with an individual who was walking on the path when they heard screaming coming from Chestnut Street.

They ran back to Chestnut Street to observe a large brown/white pit bull biting John Goba, 54, of Nashua, on the buttocks/rear hip area.  At the time of the attack the dog was being walked on a leash by Tina Bennett,  44, of Nashua, the sister of the dog's owner.  When police arrived Goba was on the ground, along with Bennett, who was attempting to pull the dog away.

One of the officers grabbed the dog's leash in an attempt to pull the dog away, but the dog kept biting Goba. Fearing that Goba was going to be severely injured by the attack the officer discharged one round from his duty weapon, killing the dog.

Goba was treated on scene by AMR Ambulance personnel for his injuries. The owner of the dog, Michael Bennett of Nashua, is out of state at the time. His sister was able to produce records that showed the dog’s vaccinations and licenses were up to date.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing, police said.  

We'll bring you more information as we get it.