Shots fired by a Statesboro police officer that killed a reportedly aggressive pit bulldog Monday caused a nearby child care center to send children inside for safety reasons, according to the business owner and director.
        "We had no clue what it could be," said Michelle Lank, owner of Kid's World Learning Center on Savannah Avenue, referring to the shots fired.
        Bulloch County 911 received a call from a woman who was chased by what Statesboro Police Major Rob Bryan said was a "large aggressive dog" Monday. He said the victim took refuge in her car trunk, from where she made the call.
        Bryan, interim police chief, said an officer arrived at the Lindberg Street location, adjacent to Savannah Avenue, along with a Bulloch County Humane Enforcement officer.
        "While searching the area for the complainant, (the) Statesboro Police officer was charged by the aggressive dog, a large pit bull."
        The officer, whom Bryan did not identify due to the case being still under investigation, fired a shot at the dog, "who ran away a short distance, then charged the officer again," he said. "The officer discharged his duty weapon a second time ...and the dog ran off and was located a short distance away, where it succumbed to its wounds."
        The owner of the dog was contacted and notified of the incident, he said. However, the Statesboro Herald was unable to immediately reach the owners for comment Tuesday.
        Daycare employees rushed the children inside upon hearing shots fired, Lank said.
        "We heard the shots, and had to evacuate the children from the playground back into the building. We had no clue what it could be."
        Children and employees heard the dog barking before the shots, but could not see the dog, victim or police, she said. Bryan said the incident took place behind the daycare, and the incident location was not visible from the playground.
        However, the shots and evacuation may have disturbed some of the children, Lank said, as it disrupted the children's routine and the emergency reaction of staff may have alarmed them.
        "Our first priority was getting the children to safety," Lank said. "It is a tragic situation."
        "No officers or members of the community were injured during this incident," Bryan said.
        Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.