Erica Irwin tells Action News she was with her Chihuahua Speck at the Brigantine Dog Beach at around 2:00 p.m. Sunday.
At that time, police say a pit bull ran loose on the beach and grabbed Irwin's dog, biting the Chihuahua multiple times.
Irwin says a man saw what was happening and began to punch the pit bull to try get it off of the Chihuahua .
Irwin says the pit bull finally let go of her dog and ran off.
She says another man with a black Labrador Retriever also arrived on the beach saying the pit bull attacked his dog, as well.
The Chihuahua was taken to Red Bank Animal Hospital in extremely critical condition. Speck was pronounced dead just before 10:00 p.m.
Irwin and one of her friends were bitten during the incident, but did not need medical attention.
The pit bull was captured by police a short time later. Authorities have also located the dog's owner.
Irwin says she plans to press charges against the owner of the pit bull. Police tell her that the owner of the pit bull could receive a fine from $100 - $1,000 for the incident. They can pay an additional $800 for the pit bull not to be put to sleep. However, police said that a judge could overrule the $800 fee, forcing the animal to be put down.
