Texas man, 80, killed, 3 savagely mauled in pit bull attack as 'hero' firefighters use pickax to fight off dogs
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: An 80-year-old man was left dead and a woman is in critical condition after they were savagely attacked by two dogs while they were taking a stroll down the street. The 'horrific' incident took place in San Antonio on Friday, February 24 where the man was dragged by vicious animals. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene just after 1.45 pm. The firefighters were forced to intervene using their pickaxes in order to get the dogs to release their grip.
"As they rounded the corner they could see a man being dragged by a dog. He was completely bloodied before they got out of the truck," San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said at the scene, according to Daily Mail. He further added, "This is not something that is normal for us. We don't normally have to defend patients from animals or ourselves. The firefighters in this instance were very heroic fighting off these pit bulls with pickaxes and pipes to try and get to the patients."
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The fire chief added, "Two people were mauled with a confirmed fatality who was treated and given blood on the scene, together with a female in critical condition. Another individual was bitten on the hand and also taken to the hospital. It has been a horrific scene and horrific experience for everyone involved including firefighters which was essentially a rescue to save themselves."
The firefighter's response was described as 'heroic' by Hood. A fire captain was reportedly bitten and a fourth person suffered a bite to the hand alongside the elderly couple who was attacked. Animal Care Services Director Shannon Sims said the two dogs were Staffordshire Terriers. A third dog was found unrestrained at the scene, he said, according to local NBC affiliate WOAI.
Police provide details of a deadly West Side dog attack. https://t.co/zf0RzDWxrp
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Will the dog owners face charges?
Fire Chief Charles Hood said that it is not clear as of now if the dog owners are going to face any charges related to the incident, but it is more than likely they will do so. Hood said the entire experience had likely 'emotionally scarred' the firefighters involved. "Nobody expects to go out and fight dogs in a situation like they did today." Both women who were attacked have been taken to University Hospital for treatment.
The dogs have a troubled history
The dogs had been reportedly confiscated in a case of 'mild bite' in 2021. The neighbors also claimed that they had informed about the bites to the authorities in the past with multiple calls to the city's complaint line. Several calls were also made by the locals over the last couple of years regarding animal neglect and aggression. San Antonio Animal Care Services have taken all of the dogs involved and placed them in quarantine kennels where they are set to remain until further notice.
