SAN ANTONIO – A man was attacked by dogs while he was sitting in the yard of his Northeast Side home on Tuesday, San Antonio police said.
The man was outside in the 9500 block of Heidelberg Street when someone at his neighbor’s home let two dogs out into their yard. The dogs crawled under a fence and attacked him, police said.
The man, 46, was bitten on both arms and the stomach, causing serious injuries, police said. The victim is in critical condition at a hospital.
Neighbors and people nearby intervened to rescue the victim from the dogs, who were American Staffordshire Terrier breeds, commonly known as pit bulls. There was one male and one female dog; neither was sterilized, Animal Care Services officials said. The dogs were taken by ACS and will be quarantined for 10 days.
An investigation will determine whether the dogs will be deemed dangerous or will be destroyed.
The dogs’ owner is cooperating with the investigation and could face criminal charges, according to SAPD.
Police said there have been three other animal-related calls to both addresses, but not involving these dogs.
District 2 City Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, whose district includes the residence where the attack occurred, issued the following statement:
“First, my office and I are sending our best wishes for a speedy recovery for the victim. This is a tragedy that could have been prevented and that this person never should have experienced.
“We owe our residents a continued focus to address dangerous animals and irresponsible pet owners. Our office will be proposing amendments, such as an additional increase of 14 positions that will better position our city to respond to 100% of the 50,000 critical calls we receive annually. Currently, our proposed budget is projected to address 64%. We will also be advocating for additional funding for responsible pet owner education and resources, and a District 2 spay/neuter hub. With a $3.7 Billion budget, that is what the constituents expect of our City, and it’s what they deserve.
“We encourage District 2 residents to attend upcoming public comment sessions and hearings to help ensure that our city budget meets our community’s needs.”
It’s the latest of several dog attacks in San Antonio — one that was fatal. Over the weekend, in an unrelated case, a 33-year-old man was arrested after his loose dog attacked a 68-year-old man. Last month, a Bexar County grand jury indicted a San Antonio couple in connection with a fatal dog attack earlier this year.
To report a dangerous animal, please call 311 (210-207-6000). If the animal poses an immediate threat to life, please call 911.