The woman was attacked Thursday morning on the Northwest Side by a Staffordshire terrier mix that belonged to a family member. Westend61/Getty Images/Westend61An 80-year-old woman was attacked by a dog that Animal Care Services had been trying to seize after the same dog bit a child days earlier. The woman was attacked Thursday morning on the Northwest Side by a Staffordshire terrier mix that belonged to a family member. The dog has been taken into ACS custody as of Friday, said Jon Gary, director of ACS.Article continues below this adGary said the dog had attacked a child on April 29, leaving a “pretty significant bite.” It happened in the same neighborhood where the woman was attacked, in the 8900 block of Arch Bridge, near New Guilbeau Road.READ MORE: Dog attacks 80-year-old San Antonio woman, puts her in hospital, police sayACS received a “dangerous dog” affidavit from a judge the next day and began trying to find the dog and its owner, he said.Such an affidavit consists of a sworn statement from a victim or witness that allows animal control authorities in Texas to investigate whether a dog meets the legal definition of a “dangerous dog” under state law.Article continues below this adIn legal terms, a dangerous dog is one that has previously caused unprovoked bodily injury or made a person reasonably fear for their safety.“Our investigators actually worked this case every single day,” Gary said.However, Gary said the owner was uncooperative and intentionally took the dog out of ACS’s jurisdiction, preventing officers from placing the dog in quarantine after the child was bitten.“They kept the dog from us,” Gary said.Article continues below this adOn Thursday morning, San Antonio police said the woman’s granddaughter called 911 to report the latest attack. The woman had a laceration on her head and was taken to a hospital; the injury was not life-threatening.Now that the dog is in quarantine, Gary said ACS is working with police and prosecutors to determine what charges may be filed. Possible charges include attack by dog, which can be a third-degree felony, depending on the investigation, he said.READ ALSO: ACS investigating dogs’ deaths in Northeast Side trailer home fireThe dog will remain in ACS custody during a quarantine period while investigators continue reviewing the case.Article continues below this adNeighbors have said they reported the dog before the attacks. Gary said ACS found two prior calls possibly connected to the dog in April and May 2025, but no citations were issued because officers found the dog confined when they arrived and did not have enough evidence to move forward.Dogs are considered property under Texas law, Gary said, meaning ACS cannot simply remove an animal without probable cause, a warrant to take the dog signed by a judge, or the owner’s consent.“We can’t just go into someone’s property and take it,” Gary said. “We have to have a legal reason to do so.”Article continues below this adGary said residents who witness aggressive dogs or loose dogs should make reports and be willing to provide statements, because ACS needs proof to issue citations or pursue charges.
Dog that attacked woman, 80, had attacked a child one week earlier, says ACS
