By Moses Leos III

A Kyle woman suffered serious injuries June 11 after four pit bull mixed breed dogs attacked her and her dog in the Waterleaf Subdivision.

The incident happened around 6 a.m. Thursday in the 100 block of Cushman Drive in Kyle. 

According to a Kyle police report, the woman, who has not been identified, was walking her dog when the four dogs attacked them. The victim said she and her dog rounded the corner onto Cushman when they spotted the four dogs. The four dogs quickly ran at them, with the victim saying they attempted to attack her dog. 

While she tried to protect her dog by clutching it in her arms, the attacking dogs pulled her dog free. They continued to attack the dog, while she suffered injuries to her head and neck, as well as her arms. 

A nearby resident heard the woman call for help during the attack and called police.

Before police officers, EMS and Animal Control arrived, the victim said two, possibly three of the dogs stopped attacking. It was then, according to the witness, that the dogs’ owner came out and stopped the attack of the fourth dog. 

Kyle Police officers, EMS and Animal Control arrived on scene, with EMS transporting the woman to the hospital. She was rushed to University Medical Center Brackenridge in Austin where she underwent immediate surgery. She is expected to be released Wednesday.

The woman’s dog was rushed to a veterinary clinic in Austin with its condition unknown. The dog later died during surgery.

“This is obviously a very tragic incident for our community,” Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said in a statement. “We hope this serves as a reminder for pet owners to be sure that your yard is secure and proper measures are in place to be sure your pets cannot get out on their own. It is always a good idea to have locks on gates and to make sure your pets have plenty of food, water and shade if they are kept outside.”

Authorities believe the four dogs forced a gate open and escaped from the backyard of a home in the 100 block of Cushman. Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett said Kyle Animal Control has responded in the past to the home for dogs on the loose. 

“Our Animal Control is continuing to investigate the matter,” Barnett said. “Additional charges for the owner of the four dogs are possible, pending the outcome of the investigation.” 

The owner of the four dogs, who voluntarily surrendered them to a Kyle Animal Control officer, was cited for four counts of not showing proof of rabies vaccination. The dogs were transported to the San Marcos Animal Shelter where they were euthanized. Their bodies were taken to the Austin State Rabies Lab for testing.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the people adversely affected by this incident,” Barnett said. “We rarely see a dog attack of this nature in our community and that’s a testament to care and attention our residents give to their pets.”