SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A San Angelo City Animal Services officer was attacked by two aggressive dogs and is in critical condition on Nov. 6.

According to the San Angelo Police Department, around 3 PM on Nov. 6, San Angelo Public Safety Communications received multiple 911 calls about a man who was attacked by numerous dogs in the 20th block of Cloud Street.

When the officers arrived at the scene they discovered a city employee with Animal Services had been attacked by at least two large breed dogs leaving him with injuries to the face, arms, and legs.

First responders provided the animal services officer with medical aid and transported him to Shannon ER. The officer's injuries were so severe that he had to be airlifted to an out-of-area hospital for a higher level of care.

According to SAPD, the dogs involved in the incident were surrendered by their owner to Animal Services and then euthanized.

"This is consistent with local and state procedures after an incident of this severity," said SAPD.

SAPD will be supporting the Animal Services department with personnel needs during this traumatic event as all of their department witnessed the incident.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Animal Services employee and his family as he
recovers from his injuries," said SAPD.

During a joint press conference with the City of San Angelo and the San Angelo Police Department on Nov. 7, Police Chief Travis Griffith explained how the Police Department is investigating the situation to see if any charges needed to be charged. Griffith then accepted a few questions about the situation.

"You can get into that, as a third-degree felony depending on level of damage or death on the offense we're looking at," said Griffith.

Griffith was then asked about the breed of one of the dogs and he confirmed it was a mixed-breed pit bull.

During the Press Conference City Manager Daniel Valenzuela was asked if there was a limit to having a certain amount of animals illegal because the dog owner had 10 dogs on the property at the time of the incident. Valenzuela then called up Morgan Chegwidden, the assistant director of neighborhood and family services, to answer the question.

"Owning seven or more dogs inside city limits requires a permit and I think I am allowed to share this, this person was not permitted," said Chegwidden.

"Let's be praying for him and his family and also the animal control officers, they just witnessed a traumatic event," said Griffith.

During the press conference, Mayor Brenda Gunter begged the citizens of San Angelo to speak up and say something if they see something. She said that the city doesn't have enough resources to have police officers on every street at every hour to make sure no crime is happening. Gunter then asked the citizens to not train their dogs to be vicious.

"These dogs get vicious overnight, they didn't, they were trained to be vicious," said Gunter

Gunter then explained they are open to everyone's ideas and suggestions to fix this animal control problem.

"It's an issue but the dogs didn't create it, citizens created the problem, and you gotta help us solve that problem," said Gunter.

News Source : https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/san-angelo-city-animal-services-officer-in-critical-condition-after-aggressive-dogs-attack/