L.A. County sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a pit bull in Lancaster on Monday morning. The incident occurred on the 43200 block of 20th Street West, where deputies responded to a 911 call about a dog attack, authorities reported.

Upon arrival at 9:53 a.m., deputies observed a pit bull attacking a man in the front yard of a home. The yard had a fence and a locked gate, hindering immediate access. Deputies attempted to control the situation with verbal commands, but the dog did not respond.

The deputies then used lethal force, shooting the dog, which ended the attack. The pit bull died on the scene. The man, who appeared unresponsive during the attack, was taken to a local hospital and reported in stable condition that evening.

Authorities learned that the dog belonged to a family member living with the victim. The cause of the attack remains under investigation. L.A. County Animal Control also arrived on the scene to take custody of the deceased dog.

Lancaster Station Captain Paul Bartlett commended the deputies for their quick and decisive actions. “When our deputies arrived, they encountered a life-threatening emergency and acted without hesitation to save a man’s life,” Bartlett stated. The deputies provided medical assistance to the victim until firefighters arrived.

A similar incident occurred last July in Lancaster, where a man was fatally attacked by two pit bulls in a backyard. A deputy also intervened by shooting a dog, although the victim later died from injuries.