ARRESTED: Attack by Dog

Juan Alberto Villarreal (34)

On May 29, 2018 at approximately 07:00 am, Officers responded to the 3200 block of Calle Columbia in reference to a dog attack call. An elderly woman was bitten on the arm by a dog (pit-bull) and was being treated by Emergency personnel. Animal control responded to location and witnesses directed them to where the dog was located. Animal control located the animal at a residence on the 1000 block of Champlain. The animal was seized after witnesses confirmed it to be the dog involved. The victim was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries to her left arm. The victim advised that she was walking her dog (Yorky) when the pit-bull attacked her dog. She advised that in an attempt to help her dog, she picked up her dog and the pit-bull bit her left forearm several times. The victim advised that she let go of her dog and the pit-bull bit her dog and ultimately fell in the resaca. The victim suffered serious injuries to her arm and back as a result of the dog attack and was taken into surgery. Further investigation revealed that the victim had had a previous incident with the same dog.

Investigators were able to secure a warrant for the owner of the dog, Juan Alberto Villarreal. Subject Villarreal turned himself in this morning on the pending warrant for “Attack by Dog”.

Under the Texas Health and Safety Code Sec 822.005 (1)(2), a person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dog and the person with criminal negligence fails to secure the dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person that occurs at a location other than the owner’s real property and or vehicle or boat. An offense under this section is a third degree felony unless the attack causes death, in which event the offense is a 2nd degree felony.