YARMOUTH — Police are investigating after a Cape Cod man shot and killed a pit bull he was fostering in his home.

Yarmouth Police were called to a home in the town on Sunday evening after receiving a report of a gunshot in the residence.

At the scene, police determined that the 25-year-old man and his girlfriend were lying in bed with the dog just before the incident. The man told police he went to move the dog, and as he did, the animal attacked him and latched onto his left arm with its jaws.

The man told police that after unsuccessfully trying to pry the dog from his arm, he reached for the 9mm handgun in his nightstand and shot the dog once, killing it. The man is licensed to own the firearm.

The man was transported to a local hospital and treated for severe injuries to his arm.

Police have confiscated the handgun, a shotgun, and ammunition from the man's home as the investigation is ongoing.

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