FRENCH VALLEY (CBS) —  A French Valley man shot a pit bull-boxer mix after it began to attack his 11-year-old son,  a sheriff’s sergeant said Saturday.

The dog was later captured and put down by Animal Control officers, according to officials.

The incident occurred shortly before 4 p.m. Friday near the intersection of Orange Blossom Drive and Allium Lane in unincorporated Riverside County, according to Sgt. Steve Fredericks.

The dog, owned by a neighbor, broke free from its leash and then bit the boy. The boy’s father got his handgun and fired one shot when the dog lunged toward him, Fredericks said.

The dog was hit, but was able to run away.

The boy was treated at a local hospital and was expected to make a full recovery. No criminal charges were planned from the incident, Fredericks said.

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