INDIAN TRAIL, N.C. — Officials said a man was hospitalized and two others seriously injured early Thursday morning when they were attacked by two pit bulls in a Union County home.
Deputies were called to a home on 1st Avenue near West Street in Indian Trail around 4:15 a.m.
Upon arrival, they said they found the injured homeowner, who made the 911 call, outside of the house and another man inside.
Once inside the home, deputies said the main victim of the attack was lying lifeless on the floor in the living room and the dogs were still attacking him.
The homeowner said he attempted to stop the attack, but was bitten on the arm.
Officials said the dogs charged toward the deputies who attempted to use a catch pole to stop the dogs. One dog bit a deputy and another deputy used a Taser to separate the two. Officials said that's when the deputies used deadly force against the animals to stop the attack.
"I woke up to four gunshots and then three more and then probably about a 10 second pause and then another 1," said neighbor Graham Linger.
According to Linger, the pit bulls that attacked the men were friendly.
Investigators said they don't have a record of any problems with the dogs and right now it's unclear what caused them to attack.
"This gentleman inside could have been killed. At the time they responded he was pretty much defenseless at this point, so they did everything they could to get the dog off of him," said Tony Underwood with the Union County Sheriff's Office.
The first victim suffered extensive bites to his face and head, while the homeowner suffered a bite to his left arm. They were both taken to CMC main for treatment.
The deputy was transported to CMC Monroe where he was treated for a minor bite wound and released.
Deputies are still investigating.
Check back for more details at wsoctv.com.
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