ONLY ON ABC-7: Man attacked by pit bull explains experience

A pit bull remains quarantined, and the Lower Valley man bit by the dog is recovering. ABC-7 first reported the story Sunday shortly after the attack.

Carlos Ortega, 70, said the dog latched onto his neck and wouldn’t let go, while he was protecting children playing in the street. He doesn’t speak English, so his son-in-law translated for him. ABC-7 was on the scene shortly after the incident happened and got footage of the dog. Turns out neighbors are familiar with the animal, and don’t know what happened to make it snap. One man said the pit even played with his dogs before.

El Paso’s Code Compliance Manager Elda Hefner offered advice if a person feels an animal could be violent. “The animal already feels threatened and is gonna charge to you, so the best thing to do is move away from the area,” she said. Hefner said the owners were given three citations: one for not providing vaccination records, another for not having the dog registered and a third for not having the dog propelry confined.

Ortega is grateful he was able to protect the small kids playing in the street he lives on, the 7700 block of Hacienda. Once the quarantine period runs out at the animal services shelter, the owner can claim the pit bull, or it will be euthanized. Otega said he doesn’t plan to press charges, but is concerned about what will happen to the dog.