Dallas Animal Services Taking Action After Deadly Dog Attack
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - There's a new urgency to tackle the issue of loose dogs in the city of Dallas. The problem is being viewed in a new light after a woman was viciously attacked, and after lingering in critical condition died from her injuries.
People in the area where the woman lived, and other parts of South Dallas, say they're fed up. Now, Dallas Animal Services is taking action and directing more resources to the area.
This morning officials with Dallas Animal Services, Code Compliance and the Dallas Police Department gathered and discussed the increased loose dog enforcement efforts.
City of Dallas Public Information Officer Sana Syed said, "Right now, we are trying to understand all of the gaps that have happened and looking at ways to improve our processes. Because this is an opportunity, and we do not want to see another attack like this happen again."
Neighbors along the street near Fair Park where Antoinette Brown was mauled to death by loose dogs say they've been attacked as well. The 52-year-old woman died after family members say she was bitten more than 100 times.
Neighbors who called 311 said they just watched the attack and waited for help to arrive. Dallas City Manager A.C. Gonzalez acknowledged that police failed to notify Animal Services after the May 2 attack. Because of the mishap the dogs believed responsible for Brown's attack ran loose for two days before being caught.
Other officials agree the ball was dropped, and now it's time to act. Some people are even asking if it's time to pull the trigger, literally, and shoot and kill loose, dangerous animals found in the area.
"I think we should use maybe the dart method to spay and neuter them and relocate them, but I'm not going to step out in terms of being violent against someone animal," said Dallas City councilmember Rickey Callahan. "I think that's a broad brush, it over simplifies, it might be a good knee-jerk reaction; but, I'm not going to step out there and say that."
Dallas Animal Services are out setting traps with dog food inside, removing strays, and returning loose animals to owners.
Councilmember Tiffinni Young says that in addition to everything else, there needs to be consequences for irresponsible pet owners. "Perhaps some dogs have been picked up from a home on multiple occasions and there are no mechanisms in place to deal with that. That's an issue, because in the end, they're [dogs] still running rampant through the community and terrorizing the neighborhood."
Funeral services for Antoinette Brown are pending. So far, no word if the owner of the dogs that attacked her will face any charges.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
