A loose pit bull turned a routine weeknight into a police callout at the Summereast Apartments in east Memphis, where two people were bitten before officers arrived, according to police. Responding officers fired shots when the dog charged at them, but the Memphis Police Department later said they do not believe the animal was hit. Both bite victims were taken to Methodist North Hospital and are expected to recover, officials said. As of the latest update, neither the dog nor its owner had been found.
Police: Officers Open Fire as Dog Charges
According to FOX13 Memphis, Memphis Police said they were called to the Summereast Apartments after the pit bull had already bitten people at the complex. MPD told the outlet that officers opened fire when the dog charged them and that the two injured people were transported to Methodist North for treatment. Police also told the station they had not yet located the dog or identified its owner.
Where It Happened
The incident unfolded at the Summereast apartment community along Bartlett Road in the 38122 ZIP code. Apartments.com lists the property at 776 Bartlett Rd, a cluster of rental buildings commonly known as the Summereast complex.
What Residents Are Urged To Do
Memphis Animal Services is asking anyone who has seen the dog or was bitten to call 901-545-COPS so animal-control officers can be dispatched, and a bite report can be filed. Memphis Animal Services notes that bite reports are routed through MPD dispatch and that quarantine and rabies protocols may follow, depending on what the investigation turns up. Residents who have photos, video, or other evidence are urged to preserve it and contact authorities to assist the search.
Recent Memphis Dog-Bite History
Serious attacks are not unheard of in the Memphis area. In one recent case, an infant died from injuries after a dog attack in August 2024, according to ActionNews5. Animal-control officials say investigations into severe bites can lead to quarantine orders or other enforcement actions, depending on the circumstances.
Memphis Police and Memphis Animal Services say the search for the dog and its owner remains active and are urging anyone with information to call the MPD nonemergency line. This article will be updated as authorities release additional details.
