A 10-year-old boy was hospitalized Monday night after his family dog bit him several times inside an apartment on Barrington Street on San Antonio’s Northeast Side. Animal Care Services has described the case as “severe” and opened an investigation into the attack. Officials have not released the child’s name or any further update beyond that he was taken to the hospital.
According to WOAI News 4 San Antonio, Animal Care Services confirmed the boy was bitten multiple times and that the dog belongs to the family. The station reported that ACS is still in the early stages of its probe and has not released additional details about what happened inside the apartment.
As reported by KSAT, the attack occurred in the 3900 block of Barrington, near Starcrest Drive. KSAT noted that it was not yet clear what breed the dog is or exactly where on the child’s body the bites occurred.
What Animal Care Services Can Do
Animal Care Services is the city’s designated rabies-control authority and requires that any bite that breaks the skin be reported so officers can investigate and quarantine animals if needed. According to Animal Care Services, owned animals may be quarantined for 10 days or, in some situations, humanely euthanized and tested depending on the circumstances.
Bite Reports Have Trended Up
Local reporting and ACS officials have pointed to an uptick in confirmed bite reports, along with a noticeable rise in severe cases in recent months. As detailed by KSAT, ACS recorded significantly more severe-bite cases in fiscal 2025 compared with the previous year and has been filing more dangerous-dog affidavits across the city.
The city advises that anyone who is bitten should wash the wound, seek medical attention promptly and report the incident to 3-1-1 so ACS can begin its investigation and any required quarantine. The ACS bite page explains what information to provide and what to expect during the observation period.
Animal Care Services and local outlets have said the investigation into Monday’s attack is ongoing, and officials did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. This story will be updated if ACS releases new information.
