OAKLAND — A pit bull facing euthanization after biting a child was stolen last week from the Oakland Animal Services shelter, authorities said.
Both the dog and thief were being sought Monday by police.
The theft occurred sometime between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. July 24 at the shelter, which is located at 1101 29th Avenue in East Oakland.
Deputy City Administrator Joe DeVries, who is the shelter’s acting director, called the theft disturbing.
“The dog is vicious. It’s a dangerous animal and should not be out,” he said.
The dog had been taken into custody more than a month ago after biting a child who was riding a bicycle in East Oakland. Someone had tied the pit bull up on an RV, and it lunged at the child — said to be a girl under 10 — and severely bit her.
The dog was scheduled to be put down on July 25 but a day earlier on July 24 someone broke into a rear window at the shelter and took the pit bull, authorities said.
No arrests had been made and the dog had not been found as of Monday afternoon. Authorities have not publicly identified the dog’s owner, but said they were a person of interest in the theft.
Anyone with information about the theft may contact police at 510-238-3951.