Officer shoots, wounds pit bull in West Newport early Sunday

A Newport Beach police sergeant wounded a pit bull after the dog

reportedly charged toward him Sunday, police said.

The sergeant was on patrol at about 3 a.m. near West Ocean Front

and Summit Street when he saw a light that appeared to be emanating

from a tent on a West Newport beach, Newport Beach Police Sgt. Bill

Hartford said. The sergeant approached the tent to tell the occupant,

Jose Lopez, 35, of Newport Beach, that camping is not allowed.

As he walked toward the tent, the sergeant noticed an unleashed

80-pound pit bull near the tent, Hartford said. The dog ran toward

the sergeant after he called for backup to help restrain the animal.

The sergeant, who shouted for Lopez to call off the animal, opened

fire after the pit bull closed within 20 feet. The bullet grazed the

pit bull’s shoulder. The dog received veterinary care.

The case has been sent to the Orange County district attorney’s

office, Hartford said. Lopez could possibly be charged with a

misdemeanor for allegedly failing to keep the pit bull on a leash.