Hamilton police shot a dog as it lunged at an animal services officer who was responding after the animal bit an eight-year-old boy.

Police and the city's animal services department were called to a house at 186 Queen St. N., near Barton Street West, after the boy was bitten Tuesday evening, Staff Sergeant Mike Cunliffe said.

Cunliffe said police and animal services officers tried to gain control of the dog, a Fila Brasileiro, but it grew scared and vicious, then lunged to attack an animal services officer.

At that point, Cunliffe said, a police officer shot the dog in an alley beside the adjacent lot at 188 Queen St. N.

The dog survived and was taken to a veterinarian to be treated.

The boy, who was not identified, was taken to McMaster University Medical Centre with non-life-threatening injuries. Cunliffe couldn't provide details about what part of the boy's body was bitten, or whether the child knew the dog's owners.

He said the forensics unit was on-site because a firearm was discharged and that animal services would follow up with the child.

Animal services did not respond to calls regarding the incident.

Michele, a neighbour who declined to give her last name, said she heard three or four shots around 5 p.m.

Standing on her porch shortly thereafter, she said she heard officers mention a dog had been shot after biting someone.

She said she didn't know the name of the couple who own the dog, but said they've had dogs since she moved into her place roughly 11 years ago.

Originally, she thought they only had two, but she said they have a "whole bunch" now. She said the dogs are different breeds.

She said the dogs are always out on the street and noted the house has an unfenced back yard.

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A man who answered the phone at the home said he did not have anything to say about the incident.

The Fila Brasileiro breed is legal in Canada, but was banned by the United Kingdom's Dangerous Dogs Act in 1991, along with other breeds it deemed similar to pit bulls.