An officer shot and killed a dog that was attacking a child Tuesday night in northwest Atlanta, police said.

The officer was on patrol in the area of West Lake Avenue and Joseph E. Boone Boulevard when several people yelled to get his attention. A woman was screaming as a dog was trying to attack the child she was holding, Atlanta police spokesman Officer John Chafee told Channel 2 Action News.

The officer shot the dog, described as an aggressive pit bull, to protect the woman and child, Chafee said.

The child's superficial wounds from the dog attack were treated by a medical crew at the scene.