3/21 POLICE BRIEFS: Pit bull shot after biting police officer

BRADENTON — A police officer shot a pit bull after the dog bit his shoe twice and refused to back off, according to authorities.

Two officers were flagged down just before 11 a.m. Saturday by a resident who told them there was a dog attacking people because the owners didn’t have it locked up, said Bradenton Police Lt. Darrell Akemon.

When the officers knocked on the door at the residence in the 1900 block of Eighth Avenue East, the dog came out and latched on to the officer’s shoe.

The officer, who was on his third day on the job, kicked the dog off and retreated toward the street, where the dog followed and reportedly bit at his shoe a second time.

The officer, who was not injured, then drew his handgun and fired one shot that struck the dog in the shoulder.

“The dog kept coming at him,” Akemon said.

The dog, which is still alive, was taken into custody by Manatee County Animal Services, Akemon said.

Car break-ins strike Lofton Meadows

MANATEE — Three cars were broken into at an apartment complex, and hundreds of dollars in valuables were stolen, according to Manatee County Sheriff’s Office reports.

The vehicles, which were all unlocked, were rifled through for valuables with several items taken collectively valued at more than $400.

Authorities said the apartment complex, Lofton Meadows, 6050 34th St. W., was hit sometime between Thursday night and Friday morning.

Law enforcement encourages residents to lock the doors on their vehicles and remove valuable to deter break-ins.

Anyone one with information about the incident can contact the sheriff’s office at 747-3011 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at (866) 634-TIPS (8477).

— Beth Burger