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Dallas police kill gorilla after escape

DALLAS, March 18 (UPI) -- Police shot and killed a gorilla Thursday at the Dallas Zoo after it escaped onto the grounds and injured at least three people.

Deputy Chief Danny Garcia said the 300-pound gorilla had to be shot because it rushed police officers who were trying to contain it inside the grounds.

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"The gorilla tried to attack two tactical officers trying to contain it and they were forced to put it down," he told reporters outside the zoo.

Garcia said the police objective was to protect the public and contain the animal. The 13-year-old gorilla apparently climbed out of a pit that contains a special habitat.

Garcia said one adult and two children were injured by the gorilla after it escaped. He said they appeared to be minor injuries but the event was "very traumatic."

The zoo was filled with families on spring break at the time of the incident but zoo officials quickly escorted them off the grounds as police attempted to control the animal.

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