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Canine Deputy Accidentally Shot By Deputy During Search For Man In Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE (CBSLA.com) — A canine deputy named Tessa was accidentally shot by a Riverside County sheriff's deputy when a pit bull charged at her during a search, authorities said.

A deputy from the sheriff's Lake Elsinore Station was looking for Shawn Redding, a known transient with several warrants for past criminal offenses, in the area of Walls Street and Brightman Avenue in Lake Elsinore around 10 p.m. Friday.

The deputy found Redding and was able to place the man inside his patrol vehicle.

Redding, however, broke free from the deputy's grasp and fled.

Resident Ana Solorzano said Redding showed up at her home asking for a place to hide, but her husband wouldn't let him in.

Solorzano said she let deputies, along with Tessa, onto her property to look for Redding.

She then put her 2-year-old pit bull named Princess inside but forgot to close the window.

KCAL9's Crystal Cruz reports a deputy fatally shot the pit bull when it attacked Tessa.

One of the rounds struck Tessa in a paw.

Tessa received emergency treatment at a veterinary hospital. She spent Saturday night at the veterinarian's office but is now home.

Meantime, Redding was arrested Saturday morning and booked at Southwest Detention Center for his active warrants, as well as on charges of resisting arrest and injuring the canine deputy.

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