Three loose dogs left a woman with bite injuries on San Antonio's Northwest Side around noon Tuesday, turning a routine midday walk on Santa Barbara Street into a trip to the hospital.
The woman was bitten on both arms and her left leg after the animals attacked in the 1400 block of Santa Barbara Street near Catalina Avenue. Animal Care Services responded to the scene and opened an investigation into the incident.
Animal Care Services told reporters the three dogs were Australian cattle dog mixes. All three were taken into custody for a mandatory quarantine, and the owner was hit with eight criminal citations tied to the attack, including violations for the bites, lack of current rabies vaccinations and allowing the dogs off the property, according to KSAT. ACS says the investigation is still underway.
ACS response and quarantine
City rules require any animal that bites a person to be quarantined for ten days for rabies observation, no matter its vaccination status. Officials advise bite victims to report the incident to 311 and seek medical care, according to the City of San Antonio.
Under those guidelines, vaccinated pets may be quarantined at home only if ACS signs off, or at an authorized veterinary facility. The process is designed to preserve evidence, confirm rabies status and help ACS determine whether criminal citations or dangerous-dog designations are warranted.
A larger local trend
This latest attack lands in the middle of a broader spike in dog bite reports and a growing Dangerous Dog Registry in San Antonio, a trend city officials have linked to more aggressive reporting and tougher enforcement. Dangerous Dog List Explodes documented that the city has been logging more dangerous and aggressive designations in recent years as ACS expands its investigations.
Legal notes
The owner's eight citations could bring penalties under local ordinances and state law. ACS also has the authority to pursue dangerous-dog findings and civil remedies in severe cases, tools that can tighten restrictions on owners and their animals.
Victims and witnesses are encouraged to file sworn, notarized affidavits to help escalate investigations, a step the Express-News has reported. The city outlines its enforcement options for prosecutors and animal officers in City of San Antonio animal code materials.
The investigation into Tuesday's attack remains ongoing, and ACS has asked anyone with information to contact the agency or call 311, according to KSAT. We will update this post if ACS or local law enforcement release additional details.
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