Officer shoots, kills 2 dogs attacking man at Ohio golf course, man also shot: Police

Quinlan Bentley and Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY NETWORK
·2 min read
2

A Springdale police officer in Ohio shot and killed two dogs attacking a man at a Cincinnati-area golf course, law enforcement said, and during the melee also shot the man being mauled in the leg.

The shooting took place in Wednesday Dec. 13 at the Tri-County Golf Ranch in Hamilton County, the Springfield Police Department reported, and the man was expected to live.

According to a news release, just after 9:20 a.m., dispatchers received a call about a person being attacked by two large dogs inside the business, police said in a news release.

Boston mayor apologies for email: Mayor Michelle Wu apologizes for sending 'electeds of color' holiday party invite to full council

The attack was ongoing when officers arrived

Officers arrived at the scene to find the attack was still ongoing, officials said, and at some point, Officer Michael DiStefano, an 11-year veteran with the department, fired his service weapon at the dogs to defend the man.

The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, identified the victim as 62-year-old Lawrence King, a co-owner of the Tri-County Golf Ranch.

"The life-saving intervention by the officer ceased the violent attack by both dogs," police wrote in the release. "Officers were then able to render aid to the victim."

Tragic shooting: 2-year-old girl dead after accidentally shooting herself in Hampton, Virginia

The dogs shot and killed belonged to victim's business partner

When the Springdale Fire Department began treating King, they realized one of the rounds struck him in the leg, officials said. He was taken to a hospital to be treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials said the dogs were both owned by King's business partner. Police did not identify the breeds of the dogs or say what sparked the attack.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Springdale police officer fatally shoots 2 dogs after they attack man