Owner of Pit Bulls Arrested After Vicious Dog Attack in El Paso County
SAN ELIZARIO, Texas—A woman has been arrested after her two pit bull dogs viciously mauled a 60-year-old man, leaving him with life-threatening injuries.
On August 26, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office detectives were called to the area of Saltillo and Guitar in San Elizario for a reported dog attack. Deputies found the victim with severe injuries to his neck and limbs. He had lost consciousness due to blood loss and was transported to a local hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
El Paso County Animal Control officers secured one of the dogs at the scene. An investigation led to the identification of the dogs’ owner, Laura Mendez Gonzalez, 51. Detectives learned that Mendez Gonzalez, who lives in Juárez, Mexico, had been leaving the dogs unattended at a residence in San Elizario, only returning once a week to provide food. Authorities believe the dogs escaped through a broken fence in search of food and water.
Detectives obtained a search warrant to seize the second dog and an arrest warrant for Mendez Gonzalez on the charge of Attack by Dog Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury. She was arrested on August 27 and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. Her bond was set at $25,000.
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office stated it will continue to hold accountable those whose actions endanger the community.
