3 injured in dog attack in Golden Gate Park

(07-01) 15:46 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Three people - one of them a 71-year-old woman - were attacked by at least one dog that was running loose through Golden Gate Park early Thursday, police said.

The woman, identified as Bela Martin, was taken to San Francisco General Hospital with bites on her lower legs and was in fair condition, said Rachael Kagan, a spokeswoman for the hospital.

An unidentified man in his 40s was taken to UCSF Medical Center with bites on his legs, police said. Another woman had her clothes torn but was not hurt.

The attacks were reported at 6:24 a.m. near Crossover and Transverse drives. Officers from three stations responded to the 911 call.

Police initially reported that two dogs captured in the incident had bitten the victims, but the city's Animal Care and Control agency later said one of the animals - an unneutered male pit bull - was believed to be responsible for all the bites.

The other dog, an unspayed female shepherd mix, was captured quickly by police near Lloyd Lake. It took two hours for officers to capture the pit bull.

In an attempt to subdue the pit bull, police fired at least two shots with their pistols and hit the animal in the face. They also fired a beanbag gun, said Officer Albie Esparza, a police spokesman.

He said he didn't know what had prompted the officers to fire.

The pit bull is being treated by a veterinarian, said Rebecca Katz, director of Animal Care and Control. The female dog is at a city kennel.

Both dogs probably have owners because they were in good health and wearing harnesses, Katz said. The owners could face civil, criminal or administrative charges. City law requires that pit bulls be neutered.

If no owner comes forward within five days, the city can determine what to do with the dogs, Katz said.

E-mail Will Kane at wkane@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page C - 4 of the San Francisco Chronicle