A man was killed and a woman and young child were injured after being attacked by multiple dogs in Katy, Texas, authorities said.
Three dogs — described in reports as pit bull mixes — attacked a man in his 60s on Monday, December 15, while he was walking a trail around 10 a.m. Family members went searching for him after he didn’t return from his walk, according to the account given by investigators.
What investigators say happened
Sgt. Jason Brown, a homicide investigator with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, said during a press conference that law enforcement responded to witness calls reporting a dog attack Monday morning. Witnesses managed to drive the dogs away, but the man died at the scene.
Brown said the animals then ran into a nearby neighborhood, where they attacked a mother and her 3-year-old child. Both were taken to a hospital and were reported to be in good condition.
Officials initially said two dogs were captured by animal control and a third was shot by officers and later euthanized. The Houston Chronicle, however, reported that officials later clarified all three dogs are alive.
Newsweek said it contacted the Katy Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for comment, and also reached out to Harris County Public Health regarding the status of the dogs.
What the injured mother described
Local outlet KPRC 2 Click2Houston interviewed the woman who was attacked, Blessing Okunwa. She said she saw three “giant” dogs before they suddenly went after her and her child.
“They started jumping on me. I had to put my son behind me so they don’t hurt him,” Okunwa said.
Community reaction
In comments posted under the sheriff’s office video of the press conference, local residents offered condolences to the man’s family and expressed concern for those affected by the incident.
What happens next
Authorities are interviewing the dogs’ owners to determine how the animals got out. Brown said investigators were not aware of any prior bite history, but are still looking into the dogs’ background.
Asked whether the owners could face criminal charges, Brown said investigators are examining whether negligence played a role and how the dogs escaped. Charges are possible, he said, but it was too soon to determine.
