TRENTON — Police opened fire at a pit bull that ran away from its owner, dug under a fence and came at a department K9 early Sunday morning.

Trenton Police said an officer was on foot on West State Street at about 4:30 a.m., pursing a suspect in a stolen car case. when he took "Thor" out of his police vehicle for him to sniff for evidence of another other suspect in the theft.

As the the officer began putting "Thor" back in the vehicle, he noticed a man having difficulty keeping control of a large white pit bill in his yard, police said. Despite assurances from the owner that he had control, the dog became more agitated and began to growl, police said.

The pit bull then dug under the fence ran at Thor, biting him in the neck, injuring him in the left paw and causing "profuse" bleeding, police said.

Police said the officer fired a round at the dog so he wouldn't get hurt trying to break up the fight himself. The pit bull got off the K9 and was captured by police.

The pit bull was properly licensed, police said.

Both dogs were taken to a veterinarian for care and are expected to survive, according to police. Charges are not expected to be filed against the owner of the pit bull.

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