Animal Services Officer Bitten on Face by Aggressive Dog

An El Paso Animal Services Officer was bitten on the face Wednesday afternoon while trying to capture a dog who had been chasing residents around a Lower Valley neighborhood.

According to the El Paso Environmental Department, the officer was responding to a call about an aggressive, stray dog chasing people around the 900 block of Lomita Drive.

The dog, described by officials as a 60-pound pit bull, bit the officer on the chin. Despite the injury, the officer was still able to catch and transport the dog.

Officials say the dog was taken to the shelter, where it was scanned for a microchip and checked for registration. The dog did not have a collar or chip. The dog was euthanized Thursday to allow for rabies testing.

Animal Services tells ABC-7, “The incident serves as a sobering reminder about the danger of encounters with aggressive dogs.”

Officials also told ABC-7 that there have been six dog bites involving employees of Animal Services just this year. They add that officers have responded to nearly 1,000 dog bite calls.

Animal Services offers the following tips about dog breed types and dog bite prevention: Dog bites are a largely preventable public health problem, and adults and children can learn to reduce their chances of being bitten, according the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC recommends that before you bring a dog into your household:

Consult with a professional (e.g., veterinarian, animal behaviorist, or responsible breeder) to learn what breeds of dogs are the best fit for your household.

Dogs with histories of aggression are not suitable for homes with children.

Be sensitive to cues that a child is fearful or apprehensive about a dog. If a child seems frightened by dogs, wait before bringing a dog into your household.

Spend time with a dog before buying or adopting it. Use caution when bringing a dog into a household with an infant or toddler.

If you decide to bring a dog into your home:

Spay/neuter your dog (this often reduces aggressive tendencies).

Never leave infants or young children alone with a dog.

Don’t play aggressive games with your dog (e.g., wrestling).

Properly socialize and train any dog entering your household. Teach the dog submissive behaviors (e.g., rolling over to expose the abdomen and giving up food without growling).

Immediately seek professional advice (e.g., from veterinarians, animal behaviorists, or responsible breeders) if the dog develops aggressive or undesirable behaviors.

Safety tips for children

To help prevent children from being bitten by dogs, teach the following basic safety tips and review them regularly:

Do not approach an unfamiliar dog.

Do not run from a dog or scream.

Remain motionless (e.g., “be still like a tree”) when approached by an unfamiliar dog.

If knocked over by a dog, roll into a ball and lie still (e.g., “be still like a log”).

Do not play with a dog unless supervised by an adult.

Immediately report stray dogs or dogs displaying unusual behavior to an adult.

Avoid direct eye contact with a dog.

Do not disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, or caring for puppies.

Do not pet a dog without allowing it to see and sniff you first.

If bitten, immediately report the bite to an adult.

If you encounter an aggressive dog or are bitten by one you should report it immediately to authorities by calling 9-1-1.