SPRING HILL, Fla. — A Hernando County deputy shot and killed a pit bull that had attacked a fellow deputy near a Spring Hill house Thursday afternoon, according to the Sheriff's Office.

  • Deputies made contact with student who allegedly battered school bus driver
  • Family of student had pit bull inside home, which accidentally got out
  • Pit bull bit deputy twice before partner fired weapon

Officials said deputies responded to a house on Seybold Drive in Spring Hill Thursday afternoon in response to a report that the student who lived there had battered a school bus driver.

As deputies spoke to family members, they reportedly saw a pit bull inside the house. When the pit bull started to act aggressively, a family member put the dog in the house's garage so deputies could continue their investigation.

A short while later while the deputies were standing in the roadway, someone in the home accidentally opened the garage door. The pit bull then charged at one of the deputies, biting the deputy near their right elbow.

When the deputy broke free, the dog tried to attack again. At that point the second deputy shot and killed the dog. 

The deputy was treated for injuries at the scene. The dog was transported to Hernando County Animal Services for rabies testing. 

The student who allegedly battered the bus driver was charged with misdemeanor battery and transported to the county detention center.