A Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s deputy was hospitalized after he shot a dog which attacked him in Green Lake Township.

The deputy was called to a residence at 4:38pm Friday after a pit bull bit an elderly woman who was trying to pull the animal away as it attacked a mixed-breed dog. The pit bull was owned by a 26-year-old woman who was staying at the woman's house. The older woman suffered a minor injury.

The pit bull killed the other dog. When the deputy arrived and got the animal’s attention, the dog charged the officer, biting his hand and causing him to drop a stun gun. The dog bit the deputy all over his hands and arms until he pulled his revolver and shot it, grazing the animal in the head.

“The dog retreated and went and just laid down,” says Lt. Chris Barsheff.

The deputy was hospitalized but expected to be okay, Barsheff says.

The dog survived with a minor injury and will be monitored by animal control for signs of rabies. Barsheff says a report will be sent to prosecutors, and the dog could be put down.