Police put down two pit bulls after separate attacks

The second pit bull involved in attacks on people in Newport Beach over the weekend was euthanized Tuesday, police officials said.

The dog, a female pit bull, attacked a man near Newport Boulevard and 23rd Street on Sunday that left bites in his arm and leg.

The first dog, a male pit bull, was euthanized Sunday night.

The dogs’ owner, Ron Aubin of Newport Beach, gave his consent to police to euthanize the dogs, said Sgt. Evan Sailor.

Statements given to police that morning paint a picture of two pit bulls gone wild trying to attack anyone they saw, Sailor said. They attacked 45-year-old Michael Younger of Newport Beach, police said.

They chased a man on a bike and rushed at a married couple who found safety in the bed of a truck, Sailor said. The dogs found Younger again as a police officer was helping him into the squad car.

The officer shot five times, hitting one of the dogs in the face. The dogs ran away and Animal Control officers captured them a short time later. The dogs were staying on the owner’s docked boat with a friend, Sailor said. A back door was left open and the dogs escaped, he said. Authorities have not determined whether charges will be filed against the owner, Sailor said.

— Joseph Serna