Texas Mother Charged with Felony After Pit Bull Attack
Child Blinded for LifeEdinburg, TX - The County of Hidalgo, Texas has a deadly track record with pit bulls. There have been two fatalities due to "family" pit bull attacks since 2006 including:
Pablo Lopez in 2008 and
Mirella Puga in 2006. In the instance of Pablo, Child Protective Services (CPS) placed the child with his aunt and uncle who owned a pit bull. The dog named Greco ended up killing Pablo. No neglect charges were filed.
The mother of a different Hidalgo toddler, however, mauled by the family's pit bull will face neglect charges for leaving her daughter unattended while she went to the salon. The 2-year-old remains in a San Antonio hospital enduring dozens of reconstructive surgeries. The toddler
lost sight in one eye, the left side of her face is paralyzed, her tear ducts don't work and she can't breath normally. She will need special care for the rest of her life.
The cost of a family, chained pit bull is immeasurable.
The 29-year-old mother, Marissa Abrego, faces one count of injury to a child, a second-degree felony. If convicted, she may face up to 20 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. But this report is likely incorrect. Under
Lillian's Law, which penalizes Texas dog owners after an attack, the dog must be loose and off the owner's property for such a penalty, neither of which appear to be true.
Authorities say Abrego left home without telling her fiancé, Daniel Ross. Unattended, the toddler wandered into the front yard of the couple's home. Investigators think the pit bull became excited and sprinted around the girl, binding her with its tether. Then the dog tore into the toddler's face and upper torso. When authorities arrived, they found the child on the ground with a "large piece of skin" missing from her forehead.
Related articles:08/14/08:
Family Pit Bull Attacks Continue to Rise06/20/08:
Fatality 2008: No Charges in Weslaco Fatal Dog Attack01/09/08:
Lillian's Law - Texas State Dangerous Dog LawLabels: texas dog law
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