REX, Ga. — Neighbors in a Clayton County community said they had to take drastic measures to save two girls who were being attacked by a pit bull.
Police said the violent attack sent both girls to the hospital.
Neighbors told Channel 2's Carl Willis that they grabbed anything they could find to try to fend off the dog Friday afternoon.
"The dog was dragging the little girl," neighbor Shante Beard said.
Monroe Thomas said his granddaughter was part of a group that was walking home from school on Vadez Drive in Rex.
She was just a few feet behind the 5-year-old girl and the 10-year-old girl who were bitten.
Witnesses said someone grabbed a tool from their car.
"(They) started beating the dog with a tire iron," Beard said. "Someone got in their car and hit the dog twice, but the dog still didn't budge. It was still on attack mode."
The dog eventually loosened its grip and let the girls go, and was later taken in by animal control.
Channel 2 attempted to talk with the dog's owner, but they didn't answer the door.
Thomas said his granddaughter is too scared to walk in her own neighborhood.
He said he planned on having his community watch group look into the matter, because other dogs have been seen roaming in the area.
"I think people need make sure they are locked up and can't get out," Thomas said.
Clayton County police said the girls' injuries were not life-threatening.
The dog was impounded and will be quarantined for 10 days.
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