Full Notification

In response to a call of several gang members, including one armed with a gun, at Hermosillo Park at 3:30PM on Saturday, September 17th, Norwalk Sheriff's Station deputies went to the scene. Upon seeing deputies arrive, the gang members ran away. A deputy saw a man with a gun running towards a nearby residential neighborhood in the 12000 block of 161st St., Norwalk.

Norwalk deputies surrounded the neighborhood in an effort to contain the armed suspect, and called for back up from the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau - Special Weapons Team, and Sheriff's K-9 and handler deputy.

In preparing to conduct a house to house search for the armed suspect, deputies notified people in the neighborhood that they were beginning a search, which would include the use of sheriff's K-9 "Tosca," and handler.

A man at a home, whose back yard was the last seen location of the armed suspect, was asked to secure a pit bull dog that was in the back yard so that deputies could search the yard. While attempting to secure the pit bull, it overpowered the owner, causing him to lose control of the pit bull.

The pit bull charged into the middle of the street toward deputies and attacked Tosca, the sheriff's K-9, as it stood on the end of its leash next to its deputy handler.

The pit bull bit Tosca on its throat and pinned it on its back in the street. Deputies attempted to kick the pit bull away, and pull K-9 Tosca away from the pit bull's attack.

Deputies were very concerned that if further alternate methods were used, and were unsuccessful in immediately stopping the pit bull's vicious attack, K-9 Tosca could have been killed, and the pit bull could have then turned its attack on nearby community members and deputies. Due to the aggressive and violent nature of the pit bull the deputy was forced to shoot it. The pit bull released its bite on the sheriff's K-9, and later died.

The sheriff's K-9 is doing well and is expected to survive.

During the search for the armed suspect, three known gang members (all men), were arrested for parole violations.

Shortly after the incident, a resident at the location where the pit bull lived found a fully loaded handgun in their backyard. Deputies were notified and retrieved the gun which is being held as evidence.

The Sheriff's Canine (K-9) Services Detail is primarily responsible for assisting patrol stations by conducting searches for felony and/or armed suspects with the use of specially trained dogs and their handlers. The Detail also supports the Sheriff's Enforcement Bureau-Special Weapons Teams on all call-outs, as well as during the service of high-risk search/arrest warrants.

Mike Parker, Captain
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
(323) 267-4800
http://www.lasd.org
[email protected]
www.Nixle.com
http://nixle.com/lasd----hq-newsroom-shb-los-angeles-county-sheriff/
Twitter @LASD_News http://twitter.com/#!/LASD_News
http://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesCountySheriffsDepartment

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

To receive more detailed, up-to-date information directly from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) via e-mail, register for "Nixle" alerts at www.Nixle.com or more directly at https://local.nixle.com/register/ and register for "LASD – Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff" and your local LASD station area. Or, text your zip code to 888777 to receive text alerts only. Standard text messaging rates may apply depending on your calling plan.