12/14/2025
Man Seriously Injured in Overnight Dog Attack at Colonial Heights Apartments; Officer Discharges Weapon
Colonial Heights, Va. — An overnight police response led to an officer discharging his firearm during a violent dog attack in Colonial Heights early this morning.
According to Colonial Heights Police, at approximately 3:30 a.m., an officer was patrolling the Dupuy Court Apartments in the 100 block of Dupuy Avenue when he heard a person screaming for help. The officer located a 38-year-old man on the ground actively being attacked by three pit bull dogs.
Police say the officer was able to pull two of the dogs away from the victim; however, one dog refused to release him. The officer then fired his service weapon twice, striking the dog and causing it to release the victim.
Colonial Heights Fire & EMS transported the man to VCU Medical Center with injuries described as serious but not life-threatening.
Colonial Heights Animal Control responded to the scene and captured all three dogs. The injured dog was taken to an area veterinarian and later euthanized due to its injuries. The remaining two dogs are being held by Animal Control for observation.
Officers identified the owner of the dogs as Brandon Lamar White, 39, of Petersburg. Wright was taken into custody without incident and is charged with three counts of misdemeanor abandonment of an animal and three counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. Police say White was also served two outstanding misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear, one from Colonial Heights and one from Petersburg.
White is currently being held without bond at Riverside Regional Jail pending his next court appearance in Colonial Heights General District Court. Police say additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues.