An animal-protection officer shot and killed a dog after it lunged at the officer yesterday, Henrico County police said.

The shooting occurred about 3:30 p.m. after animal-protection officers had been receiving calls regarding two loose pit bulls in the vicinity of Battersea and Elmswell drives in eastern Henrico. Officers began searching for the animals Thursday after reports that the dogs may have killed another dog in the 500 block of Dabbs House Road.

The animal-control officer was not injured in yesterday's incident.

A second dog that ran away was described as a brown male pit bull.

Police advised residents against trying to make contact with the dog and asked anyone who sees it to call animal-protection officers at (804) 501-5000.