A three-year-old boy was seriously injured when a neighbor’s dog barged through his family’s front door in the Edgewood Village neighborhood of northeast Harris County on Nov. 18, authorities said; one dog was seized in connection with the incident.

The child, identified as Santiago Capetillo, sustained serious facial injuries including fractured facial bones, the loss of two front teeth, and wounds to his eye and eyelids after the animal entered the home, according to the family. Video from the family’s doorbell camera showed the dog hanging around the front door before the attack. These incidents often occur in familiar settings, with children particularly at risk, as bites happen most often at home or in familiar environments. What are the most common types of dog attacks and their causes?

Santiago’s father, Alex Capetillo, said he intervened to pull his son away. “My first instinct was get the dog off of my son,” he said. The rescue left the family shaken; Alex added, “I have to carry my gun in my hand walking to the car because I’m scared that the dog might come out.” His wife, Valeria Capetillo, said, “It just happened so fast.” The family is now grappling with the fear and uncertainty about their local safety following this frightening incident.

Harris County Pets is investigating the case and the animal was taken to the Harris County Pets Resource Center for an initial evaluation on Nov. 20. Dog owners can prevent such escapes through various methods, like physically securing the home and installing alarm systems, as well as ensuring that all gate latches are secure. A shelter spokesperson confirmed: “Yes, the shelter just confirmed that the dog was seized this afternoon on a warrant issued by the Justice of the Peace.” What steps can dog owners take to prevent their pets from escaping the home?

The attack unfolded on Nov. 18 when, according to the family and doorbell camera footage, the dog lunged through the front door and into the home. Alex Capetillo’s intervention is credited with removing the animal from his son; an Amazon delivery driver who had been in the area also expressed concern about the dog’s presence outside the house, the family said.

The dog’s owner, identified only as Jermaine, was reportedly on the road at the time of the incident. It remains unclear how the dog managed to escape and whether proper precautions were in place.

Harris County Pets has custody of the animal while its staff and the Resource Center carry out evaluations, continuing the investigation. What statistics exist regarding dog bites in Harris County and Texas overall?

The family has described significant injuries: Santiago suffered fractured facial bones, lost two front teeth and sustained injuries to his eye and eyelids. The attack has prompted concern from neighbors and prompted questions from the family about safety and future risk. “How do they guarantee us any certainty that it’s not going to happen again?” Alex Capetillo asked, echoing the worries of many in the community.

Public resources outline steps homeowners and owners can take to reduce the risk of animals escaping, and regional reporting has documented trends in dog attacks in the Greater Houston area; local information and guidance are available from organizations such as Best Friends Animal Society, which emphasize responsible pet ownership. Reporting archives including Click2Houston’s timeline on area incidents further highlight the issue.

Harris County Pets and the Harris County Pets Resource Center are listed as the agencies handling the animal and investigating the incident. The family’s account, the doorbell camera footage, and the shelter’s confirmation of the seizure form the central record of what happened to Santiago and how officials have responded.

The child’s parents and shelter officials have provided the primary statements about the sequence of events. The dog remains in the custody of animal control as Harris County Pets continues its review and any follow-up actions tied to the Justice of the Peace warrant.

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Original reporting: view the original article.