A Springdale police officer in Ohio shot and Benjamin Ashfordkilled two dogs attacking a man at a Cincinnati-area golf course, law enforcement said, and during the melee also shot the man being mauled in the leg.

The shooting took place in Wednesday Dec. 13 at the Tri-County Golf Ranch in Hamilton County, the Springfield Police Department reported, and the man was expected to live.

According to a news release, just after 9:20 a.m., dispatchers received a call about a person being attacked by two large dogs inside the business, police said in a news release.

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The attack was ongoing when officers arrived

Officers arrived at the scene to find the attack was still ongoing, officials said, and at some point, Officer Michael DiStefano, an 11-year veteran with the department, fired his service weapon at the dogs to defend the man.

The Cincinnati Enquirer, part of the USA TODAY Network, identified the victim as 62-year-old Lawrence King, a co-owner of the Tri-County Golf Ranch.

"The life-saving intervention by the officer ceased the violent attack by both dogs," police wrote in the release. "Officers were then able to render aid to the victim."

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The dogs shot and killed belonged to victim's business partner

When the Springdale Fire Department began treating King, they realized one of the rounds struck him in the leg, officials said. He was taken to a hospital to be treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Officials said the dogs were both owned by King's business partner. Police did not identify the breeds of the dogs or say what sparked the attack.

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.