The victim, Monica Garza, is at Memorial Hermann Hospital Southeast. Her brother says she is stable and responding well to treatment and alive because of what he says is one man's selfless act.
Charles Jordan has some injuries to show for his heroics. But they are nothing compared to what Garza endured.
"They told us, 'I think she has 56 bites,'" Jordan said.
The attack happened Wednesday morning on the South Belt hike and bike trail behind the Sage Meadow neighborhood. Jordan's wife heard screams.
"Yeah, I live right there," said Jordan.
And when he turned the corner, he says it was bad.
"One had her by the arm and the other had her by the leg and they were just pulling her apart," he said.
The 63-year-old immediately tried to get between Garza, an avid runner, and the two pit bulls. They were unrelenting.
"I just kept kicking that dog and kicking that dog and it wasn't going to stop," said Jordan. "It was determined to get to that girl."
He kicked and punched them until they were scared off and then it sunk in.
"I said, 'You are safe. There is nothing else going to happen to you today.' She just put her head down and started crying and that is when I broke down, too," said Jordan.
Garza was rushed to the hospital for surgery. Her family credits Jordan for saving her life, calling him a true hero.
"He's proven himself a hero today but he's always been my hero," said his wife, Sharon Jordan.
Jordan shrugs off the compliment, saying he did what anyone would do but wishes he never had to.
"People need to have their dogs on a leash. Be responsible as a pet owner, put it on a leash," said Jordan.
One of the dogs was with its owners but not on a leash. That dog owner was cited. The other dog was by itself. Both dogs are at Harris County Animal Control under a 10-day quarantine. They could both be euthanized, possibly, if no one fights it.
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