ANIMAL WATCH - A savage Pit Bull attack near the Los Angeles River and Anaheim Street in Long Beach, CA, on April 12, 2026, left a female victim with severe injuries, according to ABC7 News. The incident was reported to the Long Beach Police Department at about 1:45 p.m., and one dog reportedly ran from the area before help arrived, A later statement by authorities confirmed two dogs were present at the time, but did not indicate if both were involved in the attack.. 

ELECTRONICS TO THE RESCUE!

Officials later shared information on the incident, including that officers used a "baton strike and deployed a conducted electrical weapon” --meaning a taser--to assist the Long Beach Police Department.  

Long Beach is located 20–25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and includes approximately 5.5 miles of public beaches attracting urban waterfront living and tourists and thus making public safety a priority.  

Additionally, it is the second-largest city in Los Angeles County geographically (covering 50–52 square” miles) and serves as a vital maritime hub and primary waterway entry point to the Gateway Cities region.

A “COORDINATED RESPONSE” 

In a subsequent report, LBPD officials shared further information on the attack, including that officers used a baton strike and deployed the conducted electrical weapon—“to separate the dog from the female.” It was also revealed and confirmed later that more than one dog was involved in the incident.

Just after 4 p.m. on the day of the attack, Long Beach Fire Department crews said that the Pit Bull involved in the attack had been captured by Long Beach Animal Services, after it was located by one of the Fire Department’s drones.

On Monday, LBPD officials shared more details, including that officers “now believed the two dogs were involved in the attack on the woman. And commented, ”Law enforcement agencies are increasingly relying on drones in initial investigations.”

Experts also say drone capabilities in regard to dogs are most effective when deployed shortly after the incident and before the canine travels too far. However, drones equipped with thermal imaging, are still highly effective for locating dogs that have left the scene or gone into hiding.

Animal Control Agencies Increasingly Using Drones

South of the San Pedro area, Captain John English of the Chula Vista Police Department states that “Increasingly, when a 911 call comes in, the first responder isn’t a squad car anymore, it’s a drone.”  He emphasized the fact that by the time officers arrive, the drones are “already giving them powerful tools for de-escalation.”

He further explained that, “In 25% of calls, drones clear ground units before they arrive, a condition that frees public safety responders for other emergencies.” 

“A May 2025 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule change streamlined DFR program approval barriers and caused a jump from just 50 authorized programs over the previous six years to nearly 600 approved programs in four months. As a result, DFR became one of law enforcement’s fastest-growing trends,” he said. 

See also:  46 Pit Bulls Seized in Dog Fighting Raid – Police use Thermal Imaging Technology 

This trend is also extending increasingly to criminal or public safety incidents which include animals, and the attack in Long Beach demonstrated the importance of expanding this use of technology to save human and animal lives. 

DRONES ASSISTING IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS AND ANIMAL CONTROL

Drones detect “heat signatures” even through thick brush or in the dark, allowing ground teams to pinpoint a dog’s location at night 

There are currently a few limitations on the thermal cameras, among which are: 1) they may not work well on hot days, and, (2) they cannot fly in rain or high winds, he said.    

Also, important reminders are that some states regulate flights over private property, so it is critical to use certified, experienced operators who understand lost-pet behavior. For instance, the drone should be kept at a reasonable altitude to avoid scaring a dog that is already in a state of terror or intense fear. 

DRONES NEED HUMAN ASSISTANCE 

Experts say drones are just part of the search and are most effective when used with a “ground team,” ready to respond immediately when the drone spots a “heat signature.” 

See also:  46 Pit Bulls Seized in Dog Fighting Raid – Police use Thermal Imaging Technology 

AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE “NEW ERA OF CARING FOR PETS”

Experts consider drones just one of the ways animal control and sheltering have entered a new era of caring for pets, according to the report, The traditional practice of chaining or otherwise confining dogs outside for property protection has been replaced with cameras and pets of all kinds kept inside and considered family members.

Thus, laws are being updated to place responsibility on the owners for improper or lax control of aggressive behavior on the part of their dogs and to assure family, public and other-animal safety, the report advises us.

It automatically follows that new innovations must be  extended to assure pets can be found if lost or located if they have injured or killed any living creature.

ANIMAL SHELTERS NEED INVESTMENT, UPDATES TO KEEP UP

In many instances, the shelters are mandated to accept too many animals – including those impounded for having attacked and/or killed another animal (or harmed a person) and struggle with the donation-attractive “No Kill” commitment made by non-profit organizations--which is not realistic.

Euthanasia is not cruel—the meaning of the word is “peaceful sleep” and it is absolutely necessary in some situations for the safety of society, especially when a dog has already intentionally injured or killed an innocent animal or human.)

Neither families nor individuals should be forced to endanger others or themselves, their family or their community. If it is discovered that a dog of any breed poses a behavioral threat to anyone or to pets and other animals, law-enforcement agencies, including animal control must make decisions for the overall safety of the community.

ARE WE MAKING PROGRESS OR REPEATING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY?

We are promised that new technology will ease the plight of animal overpopulation and provide better care and better communication. We want to believe that new methods of caring for animals will assure safety for pets and people.  But, other than the technological advancement, have we really made progress?

HERE IS A 2017 PUBLIC SAFETY RELEASE BY LONG BEACH POLICE DEPT. AREA TEN (10) YEARS AGO

Following is a 2017 Long Beach Police Media Release, by:   

·       Long Beach Police Department

·       Communications Division
400 W. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-5273

·       Skip to main content

·       On 6/12/2017

·       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  2017

·        

·       Subject:  A PIT BULL DOG ATTACKED OWNER AND OFFICERS WERE FORCED TO SHOOT DOG

·       Contact:  RELEASED BY LONG BEACH POLICE DEPT IN 2017 /Media Relations Detail
(562) 570-5273
Long Beach Police Department

Communications Division
400 W. Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 570-5273

Skip to main content

6/12/2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Press Release #2017

Subject:

A PIT BULL DOG ATTACKED OWNER AND OFFICERS WERE FORCED TO SHOOT DOG

Contact:

Media Relations Detail
(562) 570-5273

On Sunday, June 11, 2017, at approximately 11:25 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 4100 block of Norse Way regarding a screaming female being attacked by a Pit Bull dog. Long Beach Animal Control was also requested to respond.

Officers arrived on scene, and located the woman lying in the street, with the dog a few feet away. She had sustained multiple dog bites all over her arms and legs, and her clothing had been partially ripped from her body. Long Beach Fire Department personnel also arrived on scene, however, due to the dog’s proximity to the woman and aggressive nature, no one could approach her to render aide.

While officers were developing a plan to rescue the woman, the dog became more aggressive and began to advance. Reacting to the dog’s aggression, officers fired a 40mm rubber bullet at the dog to drive him away, while a second officer discharged his duty weapon at the dog, striking it. The dog then ran across the street, which then allowed paramedics to reach the woman.

Officers used a Taser on the dog in an attempt to gain control of the dog, however, it proved ineffective. When the dog attempted to return to the area where the woman was being treated, officers were forced to shoot the dog a second time. The dog was struck and died at the scene.

The woman, a 51-year-old resident of Nevada, was transported to a local hospital by LBFD for treatment, and fortunately, her injuries were considered non-life threatening. No officers or any others were injured during the incident.

Further investigation determined the woman owned the dog, and according to her, the dog had a history of violent behavior towards people in Nevada.

Anyone who has information or witnessed the incident is urged to call Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark Mattia and Donald Goodman at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 Tips" app to your smart phone (available at the Apple App store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.

This information is preliminary and is intended for early information use rather than being a formal investigative report.

·        

WHY HAVE WE NOT ESTABLISHED SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BREED OF DOG?

Alarmingly, even with technological advancements, there is a lag in California and other states in regard to enforcing laws that require responsibility for owning aggressive-breed, and particularly Pit Bull-breed dogs.  Dog fighters are not ashamed to boast that they selectively breed to produce a dog that will kill, and they make every effort to preserve them.

We cannot expect a breed of dog that for a century has been and is still reproduced for aggressive “blood lines,” to be a fit for society. (This also does not mean that absolutely no Pit Bull can be a good pet but that it is important, if it is discovered that the dog is exhibiting even the slightest aggressive tendencies, to have it examined by a veterinarian and evaluated by a trainer who has experience with the breed and heed any warnings about increasing aggression.)

Los Angeles City and County, including Long Beach, had this same problem 20 years ago, as shown in the Long Beach media release, and it repeats over and over because it is not due to a shortage of technology—but the lack of courage by legislators to stand up to political interests that insist there is no problem.   

(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee and a long-time animal welfare advocate. A contributor to CityWatchLA, she is known for her investigative reporting on animal shelter operations, misuse of public funds, and the dangers of poorly regulated pet adoption policies. She is a strong proponent of public safety in animal control, advocating for stricter oversight of aggressive dog breeds, especially pit bulls, and for breed-specific legislation.)