A 59-year-old woman was bitten in the legs by two stray dogs at Southside Lions Park in San Antonio yesterday morning.

The woman fought off the animals and escaped without life-threatening injuries, neighbors said, underscoring local residents’ worries about stray dogs in the area and prompting Animal Care Services to seize and quarantine the animals involved. Nationwide, dog attacks pose significant risks; recent USPS data for 2023 reported 5,300 dog attacks on postal workers, illustrating the ongoing need for effective animal control.

The attack unfolded while the woman was at Southside Lions Park, where two dogs — described by neighbors as stray — approached and bit her legs, according to the account provided to authorities. She managed to fend them off and leave the scene; her injuries were not life-threatening, officials said. Animal-welfare experts often recommend initiatives like spaying and neutering programs to help disrupt breeding cycles and reduce the number of stray dogs on the streets.

“I heard barking around me. I couldn’t hear because I had my music in, but then when I heard it, it was like he was chasing me, and I ran away,” said Michael Perales, a neighbor who described the commotion near the park.

Animal Care Services took custody of the two dogs and placed them in quarantine. Officials determined that one of the animals had done the biting, and both dogs could face euthanasia if an owner is not located, the agency said. Local animal control policies generally include holding periods for impounded stray dogs to allow time to identify owners or arrange adoption, though specific requirements vary by jurisdiction.

Neighbors reacted with alarm. “I used to walk over here all the time. I walk at work now because, yeah, I’m afraid,” said Maria Sanchez, who lives across from the park. The presence of multiple stray animals at the park has contributed to a tense atmosphere for people who use the space for exercise and walks.

Local residents have called for more patrols and attention to stray animals near the park. Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, of the City of San Antonio, commented on the limits of municipal authority in such cases: “We can build the policies, and we can issue the ordinances, but the enforcement a lot of it is up to the state,” she said. The discussion around such incidents has prompted calls for community education initiatives promoting responsible pet ownership to prevent future occurrences.

The incident follows other local concerns about dangerous dogs reported in recent years in San Antonio. Animal Care Services is continuing to determine whether the two animals seized at Southside Lions Park are owned or truly stray.

Neighbors and officials described the dogs as skittish but capable of aggression. Local television news outlets in San Antonio reported on residents’ reactions and the quarantine of the animals.

For now, the two dogs remain in quarantine under the care of Animal Care Services while agency staff work to identify owners and follow legal procedures. If the dogs go unclaimed, officials say they are likely to be euthanized in accordance with local rules for animals determined to have bitten a person.

Source

Original reporting: view the original article.