A Staffordshire Terrier, also known as a pit bull mix, was euthanized after being shot by a Lisbon police officer early Wednesday morning.

Officer Andrew Levesque was attacked by the dog after responding to 2 Claire Drive at 2:43 a.m. to check on the well-being of a female juvenile, Chief Marc Hagan said in a news release.

The homeowner, 70-year-old Vernon Hamilton, opened the door for Levesque while holding the dog by its collar. The animal got away from Hamilton and attacked Levesque, biting him on the hand, Hagan said.

Levesque kicked the animal and then jumped off the front stairs of the home. Police said the homeowner unsuccessfully tried to control the dog, and it again attacked Levesque, this time biting him on both thighs.

Levesque unholstered his handgun and shot the dog three times. After fleeing the property, the animal was located around 7 a.m. and taken to a veterinary hospital, where it was euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.

Police had summonsed Hamilton earlier this month for keeping an unlicensed dog, failure to vaccinate a dog and allowing a dog to be at large after the same animal reportedly attacked a neighbor's dog.

Levesque was treated and released from Central Maine Medical Center after receiving a series of rabies shots.

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