MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A registered service dog was injured after, police said, the animal lunged at a Miami Beach man and bit him, prompting the victim to open fire.

According to Miami Beach Police, the apparent attack took place near Hawthorne Avenue and 82nd Street, Sunday afternoon.

The victim, Matt Ellis, said the pit bull mix, named Bentley, is his girlfriend’s dog. Ellis said he was holding a box of pizza when the canine jumped on him and bit him in his left arm.

“Basically, I had a pit bull locked down on my arm,” he said. “I feared for my life, so I had to shoot it, in its leg. That’s pretty much it.”

Bentley was taken to an animal hospital in Miami and is expected to recover. However, the dog’s owner said she is unable to afford the surgery, and she could be forced to make a heartbreaking decision.

She has started a GoFundMe page to help cover medical expenses. If you would like to make a donation, click here.

Copyright 2020 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.