Pit bull bite puts Madera sheriff’s deputy in the hospital

A Madera County sheriff’s deputy was injured Thursday after a pit bull attacked him during a follow-up investigation, a spokesman said.

Commander Bill Ward said the dog may have broken a bone in Detective Adam McEwen’s hand during the attack, which occurred in a home’s yard. McEwen shot the pit pull and was able to escape. He is now recovering in the hospital.

The dog survived the gunshot wound, Ward said, and was captured by animal control. It had been chained up before the attack but broke free. It will be tested for rabies.

McEwen was named the county’s top deputy in 2016. He is the son of Fresno Bee opinion editor Bill McEwen.

This story was originally published May 25, 2017 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Pit bull bite puts Madera sheriff’s deputy in the hospital."