Police officers on Thursday afternoon shot to death a dog that attacked them while they were executing a search warrant.
As part of the investigation, a "controlled" delivery of marijuana -- a transaction often used as part of undercover drug investigations -- was made at the house in the 300 block of 71st Street. One of the home's occupants came to the door and accepted the package, said police spokesman Lou Thurston.
Soon afterward, Thurston said, a search warrant team knocked on the door, but there was no answer. Officers "breached" the door about 1:50 p.m., he said, and called out.
"Nobody responded except for the dog," Thurston said. "It was a pretty good-sized pit bull that attacked one of the detectives in the groin area. Fortunately he had some protective gear on."
Two officers -- the officer being attacked and another officer -- fired, killing the dog. Two men and a woman were detained and were being questioned by police in the incident, Thurston said.
Late Thursday evening the Newport News Sheriff's Office said that one man at the residence, Tywana D. Holley, 26, has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He is being held at the Newport News City Jail. The other two individuals at the home were released.
Copyright 2011 - Daily Press, Newport News, Va.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
