HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Residents in Northeast Harris County are speaking out following the tragic death of 12-year-old Zacharyiah Benjamin, who was hit and killed by a car after being chased by a stray dog while riding his bike.
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The incident happened near Suburban Road and East Mount Houston.
Locals say the area has long struggled with a growing stray dog problem, one they claim has been ignored for far too long.
“I see them out here pretty much every day,” said Shock Booming, a neighbor who lives near the scene. “At least six a day, running in packs.”
ORIGINAL STORY: 12-year-old killed by car after losing control of bicycle, falling into roadway in NE Harris County
Within just minutes of arriving at the scene, our team spotted more than a dozen stray dogs roaming the neighborhood. The community says it’s not just a nuisance, it’s dangerous.
According to witnesses, Zacharyiah fell into the street after trying to avoid a charging stray dog. He was then hit by a driver who fled the scene.
Neighbors say they’ve repeatedly called animal control but have seen little response.
“They want you to tie the dog up before they’ll come,” said Byron Mayweather, another local resident. “If the dog has mange or is aggressive, that’s not safe for us. They need to come get them.”
Some residents believe the problem is made worse by people in the area feeding the strays, encouraging them to stay and form packs.
In a statement to KPRC, Harris County Pets, the agency responsible for animal control in the area, acknowledged a rise in serious incidents involving stray dogs.
The agency said it is aware that more work needs to be done and pledged to continue efforts to improve safety and response times.
Still, community members say they’re frustrated and afraid.
“We just want them to do their job,” said Mayweather. “Pick the dogs up. Make the streets safe.”
Residents vow to keep calling and pushing for action until the problem is addressed.
(see full response from Harris County Pets, below)
What is the current status of the stray or vicious dog issue in Harris County? Have we seen improvement?
At Harris County Pets, we continue to respond to calls about stray and aggressive dogs every day. While we’ve seen progress in some areas, the issue varies throughout the year and remains a concern for the safety of both people and animals. We know there’s more work to do—and we’re committed to doing it with the community’s help.
Has there been an increase or decrease in vicious dog calls? Can we compare the last 6 months, 1 year, and 3 years?
The number of calls we receive about aggressive dogs can fluctuate. In recent years, we’ve seen a general increase in serious incidents, especially involving stray dogs. We do not have comparisons from past years of vicious dog calls at this time, however, we’re seeing a higher need for response and intervention than in years past.
What should someone do if they come in contact with a vicious dog? Should we assume all strays are vicious? How should we best protect ourselves?
Not all stray dogs are aggressive, but we always encourage caution around unfamiliar animals. If you see a dog acting aggressively:
- Stay calm and avoid sudden movements.
- Avoid making direct eye contact with a potentially aggressive dog since this can be interpreted as a challenge or a threat.
- Don’t run or yell—slowly back away without turning your back.
- If you’re knocked down, curl into a ball and protect your head and neck.
Please teach children these safety tips too. If you feel threatened or witness aggressive behavior, call animal control to report it.
We also encourage the public to report stray dogs in unincorporated Harris County by calling our shelter at (281) 999-3191.
What is currently being done to improve the stray or vicious dog issue in Harris County?
We’re prioritizing response to aggressive animal calls and continuing to work with community partners to safely bring in strays. We also support efforts to strengthen local and state laws that hold pet owners accountable. School education on responsible pet ownership, spay/neuter programs, and community outreach are key parts of our work to reduce the stray population and prevent future incidents.
