ONONDAGA COUNTY, N.Y. -- An Onondaga County Sheriff's deputy was forced to shoot a pit bull after the dog attacked him.

The Sheriff's office says Deputy Michael Poland responded to Spicebush Trail in Clay for a call about two pit bulls acting aggressively in the neighborhood. One witness said one of the dogs attempted to attack a child.

When Deputy Poland located the animals, one of them bit him in the leg and continued to attack him.

The officer shot and killed the dog. The animal's body will be tested for rabies.

Authorities are now searching for the owner of the animals.