BREAKING NEWS: An 80-year-old man is killed and three others injured in a ‘horrifying’ pit bull dog attack in San Antonio as firefighters are forced to use pickaxes and metal bars to fend off the ferocious animals
- An elderly man in his 80s was killed and two other women were hospitalized after a serious dog attack on the west side of the city of San Antonio
- San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood stated that all of the victims were transported to the University Hospital
- The dogs’ owners could face charges while the affected dogs are in the care of San Antonio Animal Care Services and are being kept in kennels for the time being
A man in his 80s was killed after being bitten and then brutally mauled by three dogs, including several pit bulls, on the west side of San Antonio on Friday afternoon.
Firefighters arrived just after 1:45 p.m. in what was described as a “terrifying” scene, when a man was dragged by the vicious animals just as emergency services arrived at the scene.
The firefighters had to intervene with their pickaxes to get the dogs to loosen their grip.
Two other people, including an elderly woman, were also injured in the attack, one being bitten on the hand.
“As they turned the corner, they could see a man being pulled by a dog. He was covered in blood before they got out of the truck,” San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said at the scene.
“It’s not normal for us. Normally, we don’t have to defend patients from animals or ourselves. The firefighters were very heroic in this instance, using pickaxes and whistles against these pit bulls to try to get to the patients,” Hood said.
“Two people have been ill-treated with one confirmed fatality being treated and blood supplied at the scene, along with a woman in critical condition. Another person was bitten on the hand, who was also taken to the hospital.
“It was a horrific scene and a horrific experience for everyone involved, including the firefighters, who were essentially a rescue to save themselves,” Hood said.
San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said it’s not yet clear whether the owners of the dogs responsible for the attack will be charged
Responders are seen at the scene of a fatal dog attack that killed an 80-year-old man
A San Antonio Fire Captain who arrived at the scene was also bitten in the leg during the attack, which took place at the 2800 block of Depla Street on the west side of town.
Fire Chief Charles Hood said it’s not yet clear whether the owners of the dogs responsible for the attack will be charged, although it’s more than likely they will.
Chief Hood said the entire experience likely “emotionally scarred” the firefighters involved.
The dogs involved were American Staffordshire Terriers (File Photo)
“No one expects to go out and fight dogs in a situation like this,” Hood said.
Both women who were attacked were taken to the university hospital for treatment. One of the women is currently in critical condition.
The dogs were American Staffordshire dogs, according to Shannon Wade Sims, director of pet care services for the city of San Antoni. ACS officers responded shortly after receiving the call and managed to remove all animals from the property and question the owners.
Neighbors say they have reported bites in the past with multiple calls to the city’s 311 complaint line. The dogs had previously been impounded for a “light bite” in 2021.
Other calls from neighbors over the past two years have involved concerns about animal neglect and aggression.
San Antonio Animal Care Services has placed all of the dogs involved in quarantine kennels where they will remain until further notice.
Shannon Wade Sims, director of animal care services for the city of San Antonio, said all of the dogs involved were placed in quarantine kennels, where they would remain until further notice
Police, fire brigade and animal welfare forces were on site