Jersey City Police Officer Fatally Shoots Pit Bull

Authorities in northern New Jersey say a police officer fatally shot a pit bull after the dog's owner released it and the animal charged at the officer.

Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio tells The Jersey Journal of Jersey City that the shooting appears to be justified. But a further review will be conducted, which is standard procedure when an officer fires his weapon.

The officer was unhurt in the incident, which occurred around 2:45 a.m. Sunday on Cambridge Avenue. He had responded to the area to investigate a reported disturbance.

The dog's owner, 25-year-old John Kelly of Jersey City, was charged with assault on a police officer and weapons offenses. It wasn't known if he had retained a lawyer, and a telephone number for Kelly could not be located Sunday.