Judge Rules to Euthanize Three Dogs Involved in Fatal Attack on Texas Toddler

A judge in Bexar County has made the decision to euthanize three dogs linked to the tragic mauling death of a toddler in the San Antonio area.

Judge Michele Garcia of Bexar County Precinct 4 has determined that the three pit bulls qualify as “dangerous dogs” according to state standards. According to KENS 5, the court is required to mandate the destruction of the dogs if a judge determines they were responsible for a fatality under Texas Health and Safety Code.

According to the TV station, Heather Rodriguez, the 36-year-old owner of the dogs, has a 10-day window to file an appeal against the decision. She participated in the hearing through Zoom while at Bexar County Jail.

Rodriguez is confronted with multiple allegations, such as harming a child and inflicting bodily harm through negligence, among various others. According to county court records, her bond is set at $250,000.

The allegations arise from an incident on October 7, during which Rodriguez’s three pit bulls attacked one-year-old Jiryiah Johnson. Rodriguez was responsible for looking after the child but entrusted his care to her 13-year-old daughter.

The trio of dogs approached the room where Johnson lay asleep and launched their assault. A teenage girl burst into the room, attempting to fend off the dogs as she engaged in a fierce struggle, described as a “tug-of-war” involving them and the infant, according to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar’s statements to the press.

Johnson was transported to the hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

Donations are still being accepted for the GoFundMe set up to support the mother of the child who has passed away. It has secured $23,855 so far, falling just shy of the $25,000 target.

Reference: Dogs involved in mauling of San Antonio toddler to be euthanized, judge rules