Three dogs attacked and killed a 62-year-old man on a Katy trail around 9 a.m. Monday, authorities said.

The fatal mauling on the Mason Creek Hike and Bike Trail in unincorporated Harris County left the victim dead and prompted an immediate criminal and public-health response because the dogs were loose and at least one other person was bitten. Dog attacks are not uncommon in the United States, with an estimated 4.5 million people bitten each year, highlighting the importance of responsible pet ownership.

Deputies from Harris County Constable Precinct 5 and investigators with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene, officials said. The victim was identified Tuesday afternoon as Chhay Leang, 62.

Sgt. Jason Brown, a homicide investigator with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, said detectives are interviewing the animals’ owners “trying to determine exactly how they escaped from the yard.” In Texas, dog owners have a civil duty to control and restrain their animals, and can potentially be held liable for injuries caused by their pets, particularly if there are prior complaints about the animals’ aggressive behavior.

Authorities said three dogs were involved in the attack. Two pit bull mixes were taken into custody by animal control and one Cane Corso was euthanized by animal control following the incident. Harris County Public Health’s Veterinary Public Health Division is holding the dogs under rabies observation. Such procedures underscore the broader public safety measures necessary to manage potential threats posed by aggressive dogs.

Officials also reported that a woman was bitten by a dog during the same incident and received treatment. As the investigation unfolds, the focus will include examining whether the owner’s conduct meets the criteria for criminal charges, which could depend on prior reports of the dogs’ behavior.

The investigation is being led jointly by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Harris County Constable Precinct 5, who are examining whether the animals had prior complaints or aggressive histories and whether owner’s conduct meets the threshold for criminal charges. Reports indicate that fatal attacks have increased over the last decade, with an average of about 43 deaths per year from 2011 to 2021.

The owners of the dogs have been interviewed as part of the ongoing inquiry. “Right now, homicide detectives are interviewing the owners of the dogs, trying to determine exactly how they escaped from the yard,” Sgt. Brown said, emphasizing investigators’ focus on the animals’ containment and the circumstances that allowed them to roam. Dog owners should implement measures like early socialization and positive reinforcement training to prevent aggressive behavior in pets.

The possibility of felony charges was raised in initial statements from local officials; that prospect rests on findings from the criminal investigation and any evidence about prior incidents or the owners’ handling of the animals. “We’ve seen that through Texas in some cases. It’s obviously not that common, thankfully, these things don’t happen every day,” said Adam Loewy, a personal injury attorney.

Responders secured the scene and animal control took custody of the surviving dogs shortly after the attack. The public-health division’s quarantine will determine the animals’ immediate status while the criminal investigation continues.

Investigators confirmed the timing of the attack as occurring around 9 a.m. Monday and said the victim’s identification was completed Tuesday afternoon. Officials urged people in the area to follow updates from law enforcement as interviews and forensic steps proceed.

Local station KHOU reported on scene details and response timelines that align with the sheriff’s office statements.

Investigators continue to piece together how the dogs came to be loose in the neighborhood and whether prior complaints about the animals will factor into any charges.

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Original reporting: view the original article.