The injuries were the worst to an officer in years.

A pit bull mix was put to death Thursday morning after the dog bit a Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control officer this week in Belle Glade, the department said.

It said the injuries were the worst that one of its officers has suffered in several years.

The officer, whom the agency did not name, was bit on an arm and a leg by the 50-pound black-and-white male, about 5 years old, when the officer went at about 3:45 p.m. Tuesday to a home on the 600 block of Southwest Second Avenue in Belle Glade.

The dog had bit another person earlier, but had made no report. That person later went to a medical facility with an infection, and that facility reported the bite long after the attack, leading to the visit, Capt. David Walesky said Thursday.

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The officer had to negotiate a canal bank around an enclosure, and as she worked a control pole around the dog, it overpowered her and she fell into the water, Animal Care and Control said. The dog got loose, and when the officer climbed out the canal, it charged her and knocked her down. The officer struck the dog with a baton as it bit her and eventually subdued it.

Paramedics took the officer to Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade, where and she went home after having her bites stitched, Walesky said. He said she has not yet returned to work. Walesky said the officer has been at the agency for two years.

"Officers often are bit, but it's been a couple of years since someone was hurt at this level," Walesky said.

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Animal Care and Control determined the woman at the home was not the owner and tracked down the owner, who was out of state. Walesky said the owner surrendered the dog and agreed not to fight euthanasia. The dog received a lethal injection Thursday morning.

Walesky said the owner still could face criminal or administrative charges once the investigation is finished.

Calls made Thursday to both the dog owner and the officer were not returned.

Every year, the agency puts down about 500 of the estimated 5,000 dogs at its shelter. They are euthanized either for medical problems or because the animal has a bite history or severe behavior problem and the owner has agreed to surrender or it was brought in as a stray, the agency said.

EK@pbpost.com

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