Miami Police officer shoots at dogs after woman attacked, hospitalized

A dog attack in Miami left a woman hospitalized and led to an officer opening fire on two dogs Friday morning, officials said.

Miami Police officials said the incident began around 6:30 a.m. when a woman reported that she was bitten by a vicious dog in the area of Northwest 3rd Court and 64th Street.

Gema Garcia said she was getting ready for work when she hear what she thought was her cat outside — but when she opened the door, she was greeted by two dogs, who lunged at her, pushing her to the ground. Thankfully, a neighbor heard her screams and came running over. 

Officers responded and were trying to restrain the dog when a second dog appeared and both charged at an officer.

The officer opened fire in the dogs' direction, officials said.

PIO En Route: to 6400 block of N.W. 3 Ct., where an officer discharged her firearm at 2 dogs that attacked a person and launched at the officer. Media staging area is NW 4 Avenue between 65 and 66 Streets. MV pic.twitter.com/XejUBD5miC

— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) July 7, 2023

Fire rescue responded and were seen treating Garcia in the back of an ambulance. They later took her to the hospital

Garcia said she can't walk because the bites were so severe. The dogs bit her multiple times on her legs and arms. 

Footage showed multiple officers at the scene and the two dogs roaming free on the street. Blood was also seen splattered outside a home at the scene.

One woman who heard the screams said the dogs should have never been left alone, and said the attack could have been much worse. 

“I don’t think it’s right because we have kids around here playing all the time. I go to the garbage all the time with my daughter, it could have easily been one of us," Shenika Boykin said.

Miami-Dade Animal Services officials said the dogs were female terrier mixes. One dog was contained but the smaller dog fled the scene.

The one dog that was contained was returned to its owner and will have to serve a required quarantine, animal services said.

Three citations have been issued and additional action may be taken pending the outcome of an ongoing dog bite investigation, officials said.

Animal services said they canvassed the area for the second dog and will continue their search.

Anyone who spots a stray dog in the area was asked to call police.

Check back with NBC6 for updates.