Agents Shoot Pit Bull Mauling ATF Dog in Arizona

Jan. 25, 2013

Officials say the ATF dog, named Bora, was rushed to a veterinary clinic for treatment

A service dog belonging to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was attacked by a pit bull Thursday morning while agents served a state warrant on one of two Tucson-area properties.

The dog, named Bora, was rushed to a veterinary clinic for treatment, said Carlos Canino, assistant special agent in charge of the ATF in Southern Arizona and New Mexico.

The pit bull broke loose and mauled Bora while members of a Dallas-based ATF regional SWAT team were searching a property on South Mission Road between West Silverlake Road and West 36th Street for firearms and drugs.

The search was part of a joint ATF and Tucson Police Department investigation into gang activity.

Canino said agents ultimately had to shoot the pit bull to save Bora.

A second, federal warrant in an unrelated case was served on a property in the 5600 block of South Alexandria Road near West Ajo Highway and South Sandario Road. The warrant was obtained as the result of a tip received during a Border Patrol traffic stop, Canino said.

As of midday Thursday, no suspects had been arrested, Canino said.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service