A man has been charged in connection with a brutal dog attack that occurred on April 10, 2023, according to court documents.
Recommended Videos
Cesar L. Mendoza, 59, reportedly owned a dog known to be dangerous, which had a history of unprovoked attacks in public places and was not properly secured at the time of the incident.
What happened
The victim, who regularly walked in the area, was attacked by two pit bulls at the intersection of 3800 Corto Street. Witnesses described the dogs as blue pit bulls. A bystander reported seeing the woman being attacked and intervened by driving his truck toward the dogs to scare them off. The witness found the injured woman on the ground near 7106 Bleker Street.
According to the witness, the dogs ran back into the homeowner’s property after being chased off. Despite being inside the fence, the animals had managed to escape earlier, leading to the attack.
The victim was severely injured, suffering bites to her right arm and left leg above the ankle. She was rushed to the trauma center at Memorial Hermann Hospital, where she underwent multiple surgeries, including skin grafts and extensive stitching. She remained hospitalized for two weeks, finally being discharged on April 24, 2023.
The victim told investigators that the dogs dragged her for approximately 15 minutes before she was rescued by two men.
BARC animal control officers reviewed the incident and interviewed Mendoza. He admitted ownership of the female dog involved in the attack, while stating that the male dog was a stray. Mendoza acknowledged feeding the stray and allowing it to stay on his property. He also admitted he could not control or confine the animals, which frequently ran off in a pack of five.
Neighbors corroborated the victim’s account, identifying Mendoza as the owner of the dogs. They reported frequent issues with the dogs escaping and posing a danger to the community. One neighbor noted that Mendoza knowingly allowed the animals to roam free despite repeated concerns.
The neighbor also expressed fear for the safety of their elderly mother and young children who live in the home.
The case highlights ongoing issues with dangerous dogs and the responsibilities of their owners.
Mendoza is not in custody at this time.
REALATED: