Waterloo police say they were forced to shoot and kill a pit bull that attacked a patrol officer and his horse. According to police, the attack occurred yesterday while three horse patrol officers were patrolling an alley in a residential neighborhood.

One officer received minor injuries when he was thrown from his horse. Police say the horse — named "Rocky" — was bitten multiple times in the attack and suffered several injuries. According to police, officers tried to capture the dog. When they couldn’t, officers shot the pit bull to avoid jeopardizing their safety.

Animal Control was called in to take the dog for treatment, but it later died. Police checked the area and found the pit bull had not been chained up or contained inside a fence. The case remains under investigation.

Audio: Elwin Huffman reports. :34 MP3