KOKOMO, Ind. -- A man credited a quick-acting, straight-shooting police officer for saving his life during a pit bull attack over the weekend.

Steve Shallenberger and his girlfriend, Tiffany Anderson, said he was moments away from being mauled to death just after 7 a.m. Saturday, 6News' Tanya Spencer reported.

Anderson said the couple woke up to the sound of a dog howling and barking. Shallenberger said he went to get the dog, which he said was acting friendly, out of the middle of the street.

"He came over there peaceful and we looked at his collar," Shallenberger said. "My neighbor had already called police."

When 13-year veteran Kokomo police Officer Rich Benzinger arrived, the 120-pound pit bull was still calm and wagging his tail, but Benzinger said that changed in an instant when they tried to put the dog in the back seat of the officer's car.

"As soon as that door opened up, that dog just went berserk," Shallenberger said.

"His life was definitely in danger. When that dog latched on, it was obvious that it wasn't letting go," Benzinger said.

All three said they thought the dog was about to go for Shallenberger's face and throat. A dog lover himself, Benzinger made a split-second decision, drew his gun and shot the dog in the head.

"I thought, 'Oh my gosh!' because you want him to shoot the dog, but Steve and the dog were so close together -- entwined," Anderson said. "I'm very thankful for Officer Benzinger shooting that do. He really probably saved Steve's life."

The dog did not die immediately but was later euthanized. It will be tested for rabies, police said.

Surgery repaired a chipped bone, torn tendons and deep lacerations, but Shallenberger faces a long recovery -- 12 weeks of missed work.

"I'm just thankful that it was my hand and not a major artery or a child that felt the wrath of this dog," Shallenberger said.

The dog's owner, neighbor Michael Conner, arrived after the dog was killed. According to a police report, he was drunk and swore at officers.

Conner faces charges of harboring a non-immunized dog, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.