Atascocita man attacked by dog while defending his own

ATASCOCITA, Texas (KTRK) -- A northeast Harris County man is recovering after he was attacked by a dog while walking two of his own.

"My dad's very lucky, very lucky," said the victim's daughter.

She declined to identify her father but said that he suffered at least two dozen puncture wounds and required a significant number of stitches to close the wounds.

Authorities say the attack happened about 6:30 p.m. Monday night in the Eagle Springs neighborhood near Atascocita.

The Precinct 4 Harris County Constable's Office says the owner has been cited as a result of the attack.

"I couldn't believe an animal could do that amount of damage in such a short period of time," said the victim's daughter.

Harris County Animal Control did not come out Monday night, so the dog was not seized.

Now, neighbors want to know why.

"We've made multiple complaints to the HOA, the Constable, Animal Control and we've gotten no resolution. It took a mauling for anybody to do anything," said another neighbor who asked her identity not be revealed.

She told Eyewitness News that the dog is one of seven dogs that live or have lived at the home around the corner from the victim's house.

According to neighbors, these dogs have repeatedly eaten through the fence and cornered them aggressively.

"They completely terrorized the neighborhood but nothing was done," she said.

The owner of the dogs refused repeated ABC13 attempts to obtain a comment.

Authorities said they cannot seize the dog as things stand right now.

According to Texas law, animal control does not have authority to take an animal from an owner unless their officers see it running loose. Homeowners can seek a "dangerous dog" designation by a judge which could then allow for greater action to be taken.

The Eagle Springs Community Association sued the owner of the dog in February, claiming it and other dogs on the property are a "nuisance" and asking a judge for an injunction to have the dogs permanently removed.

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