Police in Connecticut say a man shot and killed his own dog in a park because he feared it might attack some children.

The incident happened Sunday in Hamden.

According to police Capt. Ronald Smith, the man told officers his dog, a pit bull that was not on a leash at the time, attacked and seriously injured another dog on a leash.

The owner of the injured dog was also with his three children at the time.

Smith says the owner of the pit bull, who was not immediately identified, told police he was worried his dog might also attack the children.

So he pulled out a handgun and shot the animal, killing it.

Smith says the man was licensed to carry the gun.