Giving a new meaning to the old adage, "hair of the dog that bit you," a 100-pound American Bull Dog attacked its owner and four others before being shot to death just after midnight on New Year's Day.

The Amador County Sheriff's Office was called to a party at a residence in the 17000 block of Quartz Mountain Road North in Sutter Creek, which had unraveled when the bull dog attacked a female party goer for no apparent reason.

Deputies said they were told the dog had not been aggressive and had interacted with those at the party all evening. The canine then bit two other females and the two males who attempted to separate the dog from a woman who was being attacked.

The dog's owner, one of the men who was bitten, shot and killed the dog when it began aggressively approaching another person. The owner said that he had owned the dog for about a month, during which the dog had been aggressive toward other animals, but never with people.

American Legion Ambulance and first responders from Amador Fire Protection District responded to provide medical aid. Four of the five bitten reportedly sought medical treatment at Sutter Amador Hospital.

Amador County Animal Control responded to collect the dog and conduct an investigation.