AUGUSTA (AP) – An Augusta police officer shot and killed a dog Sunday afternoon after the animal attacked two children and charged at him.

Edward Murphy, 10, and his 7-year-old brother, Robert, were taken to MaineGeneral Medical Center with numerous dog bites, some of which penetrated to the bone, family members told the Kennebec Journal.

“They’re chewed up pretty bad,” said Eddie Murphy, the boys’ father.

The boys were playing a short walk from their home around 3:30 p.m. when a chained dog at 68 Boothby St. broke free and bit Robert Murphy, knocking the boy to the ground, police said.

Edward Murphy was bitten repeatedly as he tried to pull the dog off of his brother, his father said. Witnesses said the dog was dragging one of the boys down the street, its mouth gripping a leg, when police arrived.

Officer Ken Mason shot once to slow the dog and again after it charged when he tried to intervene, said Christopher Massey, a detective in the department.

Massey said police did not know the breed of the large, brown-haired dog.

Neighbors said the dog was not aggressive until Sunday.

The incident is under investigation.

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On the Net:

Kennebec Journal: www.kjonline.com

AP-ES-04-04-04 1945EDT