Police: Pit bull, told to attack pursuing Camden officers, bites one

A man police were chasing in Camden ran into his house and commanded his pit bull to attack the officers, one of whom was bitten, authorities said Saturday.

Officers Brandon Galloza and Michael Ross of the Camden County Police Department were on patrol Thursday night when they saw Thomas Wright and Tajay Wilson, both 19, in what appeared to be a drug transaction, police said.

The two Camden men ran when Galloza and Ross approached and told them to stop, police said. The officers chased them into Wright's house on the 1800 block of Filmore Street, police said, where they were blocked by Quazeem Jackson, 21.

That's when Wright "repeatedly commanded a pit bull in the house to attack" by pointing at the officers and shouting, "Sic 'em," police said. The dog charged Galloza and bit him on the right leg; he was treated for the injury and released.

Wright was charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, obstruction of justice, and other charges, and was sent to the Camden County Jail with bail set at $25,000. Wilson was charged with loitering to commit a drug offense and resisting arrest. He was released after being issued summonses. Jackson was charged with obstruction of justice, issued a summons, and released. A city animal-control officer arrived to quarantine the dog, which will be held for seven days, a police spokesman said.