Police: Officer shoots dog in Brentwood after being attacked

A Suffolk police officer shot and killed a stray dog Tuesday night in Brentwood after the animal attacked him twice, authorities said.

A 911 caller alerted police to a dog that was growling at people near a Fifth Avenue car wash, authorities said.

When the officer arrived shortly after 5:40 p.m., the dog ran across the street, but sat down when the 911 caller gave the dog some food, police said.

The officer was attempting to read the dog's tag when he was attacked, police said.

The officer shot the dog, but it got up and attacked him again, police said. The officer then fired a second shot, killing the canine.

The officer suffered several bite wounds on his legs and his hand that were not life-threatening, police said. He was taken to Southside Hospital in Bay Shore.

The dog's tag did not have its owner's name, police said.

The dog was an Akita, according to the Suffolk Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which was notified of the incident.