Pitbull attacks students at bus stop

ATLANTA, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Five Atlanta students were hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries after being attacked by a pit bull at their bus stop, school officials say.

Police were forced to kill the dog to stop its attacks on the South Atlanta High School students, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Friday.

Officers responded to a 911 call from the corner of Baywood and Bromack drives and "witnessed a pit bull being aggressive and attacking several individuals," police spokesman James Polite said.

"Someone tried to hold the dog down, but the dog was still aggressive, and was trying to bite at those that were trying to hold him down," he said. "The dog got away and was trying to attack some more people, and for the safety of the officers and the children that were in the

immediate area, an officer discharged his weapon one time, striking and killing the dog."

The names and ages of the injured students were not released. Police were attempting to determine ownership of the dog or if it was a stray.