TAMPA, Fla. -- A dog named Scarface mauled three members of a Florida family after one of them tried to put a sweater on the animal, authorities said.
Two of the pet's owners, a man and woman, were hospitalized after the incident, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Brenda Guerrero, 52, was trying to put the garment on the pit bull mix when it attacked, police said. Her husband, 46-year-old Ismael Guerrero, attempted to pull the dog off his wife and was himself bitten by animal.
Police said the couple's 22-year-old son, Harris, then got a knife and stabbed the dog in the head and neck in an attempt to stop the attack. Scarface then began attacking Harris. All three were able to escape into the house, leaving the dog in the backyard.
"Officers responding said the dog was pretty aggressive," said Eddy Durkin, a spokesman for the police department. "When they Tased the dog the dog was still pulling away and was able to release the prongs from the Taser."
When Animal Control officials and Tampa police arrived at the home, the dog was shot with a tranquilizer gun. After the dog got into the house, where there were two children in the back room, police officers deployed a beanbag gun and Taser to subdue the dog. The dog was eventually captured by Animal Control personnel by using a "catch pole."
Brenda and Ismael Guerrero were taken to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. The woman's injuries were believed to be serious but not life-threatening.
