Dogs Keep Firefighters Holed Up Inside Illinois Firehouse

ELGIN, Illinois — Police responded to Elgin Fire Station No.7 after firefighters and paramedics there were attacked by to vicious dogs. One of the dogs was shot after charging a police officer.

The Chicago Tribune reports that firefighters and paramedics were eating lunch outside their firehouse when the dogs showed up. One ran at a firefighter while he was eating and the other was found at a different entrance.

The firefighters went inside and called the police. One of the dogs, a 90-pound female pit bull, charged a police officer and was shot. The dog was reportedly taken to a clinic for treatment. Elgin firefighters and paramedics felt so threatened by two dogs running loose that they were forced to run into their fire station and wait for help.

One of two owners helped control the other dog, a 130-pound pit bull mix breed, and took the dog home without incident. Police ticketed both owners with various violations, from a dangerous loose dog to lack of inoculations.

The incident lasted approximately 15 minutes. Officials did not speculate if they thought the firefighters and paramedics would have been prevented from responding to an emergency call during that time.

Officials said the incident lasted for about 15 minutes, but they would not speculate if the fire station personnel would have been prevented from responding to an emergency call during that time.