Dogs Run Amok In Elmwood Park Store

Bystanders called the dogs large and terrifying, and said they were snarling and barking at bystanders

Two large dogs found their way into an Elmwood Park Staples store late Tuesday morning, chasing customers into the store and employees onto the counters.

An Akita and a Napoleon mastiff entered the store, at 1850 North Harlem Ave., through automatic doors after eluding police in a chase from Harlem to Elmwood Park, authorities said.

Bystanders said the dogs were large, terrifying, and snarling and barking aggressively at customers and employees while in the store, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Witnesses said the dogs put their front paws on the store counters after employees climbed onto them to get away.

Police officers and an Oak Park animal control officer subdued the dogs with pepper spray, lured one with food, and then individually trapped them with a control pole with a loop on the end, officials said.

The animals were reportedly taken to the Elmwood-Grove Animal Hospital where they were tranquilized.

Police Chief Frank Fagiano told the paper that police know who the owner of the dog is and plan to issue a ticket. The owner's name was not released.

There were no reported injuries.

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