AURORA, Colo. -- Police are investigating three pit bulls that may have been involved in an group attack on an Aurora woman's dog early Monday morning.

Video

Police: Pit Bulls Attack Neighborhood Pet

One pit bull was shot by Aurora police, who were called by the woman around 5 a.m. The homeowner lives in the 2300 block of North Macon Street.

Police said they responded when woman called to report that her Shepherd Collie mix was being attacked by three pit bulls in the back yard of her home.

When police arrived, the attacking dogs were gone. The officers began an immediate search of the area, in an attempt to locate the dogs. They were found in their own yard.

As the officers began approaching the pit bulls, one of the three dogs began to move aggressively toward them, police said. In an attempt to stop the attacking dog, one of the officers utilized a Taser, however, the animal then turned on the other officer, forcing him to shoot the dog.

The attacking animal was struck twice and ran away. Police found him in the yard where the initial attack occurred. The pit bull was transported to a local animal hospital for treatment, but died in transport.

"It was a family dog," said Simon David, the owner of the three pit bulls. "I lost a family member, you know?"

The dog that was allegedly attacked will spend the night at the veterinary hospital, but its wounds were not life threatening. David has offered to pay the vet bills for the injured dog.

The other two pit bulls ran away after the shooting. Both were later captured by animal control. It is unclear if they will be returned to David.

David said officers overreacted in shooting his dog, which he called "a big baby."

It is no longer illegal to own a pit bull breed dog in Colorado.