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The incident occurred at about 8 p.m. in front of the San Diego police firing range on Federal Boulevard near Home Avenue.

Police said a teenager who lives about a block away was walking his two dogs when he noticed two unleashed pit bulls. The teen then crossed the street in front of the police shooting range, where training was taking place.

A SDPD officer, who is also a shooting range instructor, saw the two pit bulls running across the street about to attack the teen and his dogs.The officer then raced in front of the teen and opened fire on the charging dogs.

Both dogs were shot. One fell to the ground in front of the range. The other ran off and was tracked down about ten minutes later up the street at 47th Street and Ridge View.

San Diego police Lt. Sandra Albrektsen said, "We're all animal lovers. We love animals. We don't want to shoot anyone's animal, but unfortunately when animals get that pack mentality and especially with an animal such as these, they were very aggressive. You know, things happen and unfortunately, we had to shoot in order to protect human life over the animals' life."

Albrektsen said the dogs were alive when they were taken into custody by the San Diego County Department of Animal Services. Now, they will look to see if the pit bulls are implanted with microchips to identify the dogs' owners.

The teen and his two dogs were not hurt.