RINGWOOD — A pit bull released by a truck driver during a traffic stop was killed when police fired after it charged at them on Monday morning, police said.

Wanaque police initially attempted to pull over a truck pulling a trailer with several luxury boats that was driving erratically on Ringwood Avenue, chief Joseph Walker told NorthJersey.com. The truck was forced to stop by Ringwood police when it crossed the border and continued on Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Walker said.

Once the truck stopped, the driver followed through on a threat, despite warnings by police, to unchain the pit bill, Walker said. One of the officers, which the North Passaic Daily Voice reported was a former K9 officer, fired several shots to stop the dog, he said.

John Baker, 54. of Spring Lake, Florida, was charged with five counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, eluding and drunken driving in Wanaque, and numerous motor vehicle violations in both jurisdictions, The Associated Press reported.

Greenwood Lake Turnpike was closed between Skyline Drive and Skylands Road for about two hours for an investigation.

Walker did not immediately return a message on Monday afternoon.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ

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