MIAMI (WSVN) – A dog is recovering after being the victim of a vicious attack at a Miami apartment complex, but the beloved pet's owner is now speaking out.
Videos on mobile phones are hard to watch. On February 16, the dog is seen walking across the lawn of an apartment complex's parking lot and biting Tico, a white schnauzer.
Tico's owner Ernesto's mother was also seen trying to separate Tico from the large dog who wouldn't let go.
At some point during the attack, Ernesto's mother fell, hurting her knee and elbow. After she got up, she began hitting the large dog with a traffic cone in an attempt to get it away from Tico, but to no avail.
Fortunately, Tico survived the ordeal.
Ernest said he brought Tico to South Florida from Puerto Rico four years ago, adding that the dog has undergone two surgeries since sustaining the scratch.
Tico has now lost most of his skin and received 40 stitches.
Speaking to 7News on Thursday, Ernesto said it was a traumatic experience for the entire family.
“That keeps me awake. Imagine this dog almost killing our dog,” she said.
Ernesto said he doesn't know when Tico's bandages will be able to be removed. He must take the dog to the vet at least three times a week for check-ups and bandage changes.
On Thursday night, a spokesperson for Miami-Dade Animal Services released the following statement:
On February 16, 2024, a dangerous dog investigation was initiated by a witness who was not the owner of the attacked dog. Witnesses say the American bulldog mix attacked the Schnauzer. Miami-Dade County Animal Services contacted the Schnauzer's owner and provided the necessary documentation, which is currently pending.
The dog's owner has two weeks to submit an affidavit along with supporting documents such as police reports, veterinary records and photographs. Upon receipt of this documentation, Animal Services will file an affidavit with the owner of the attacking dog and will likewise give her a two-week deadline to complete the affidavit. After collecting evidence from both sides, Animal Protection will assess potential violations and designate the dog accordingly. If a violation is found, the owner of the attacking dog may be cited in court in connection with the incident.
It is important to understand that the dangerous dog investigation process is consistent regardless of whether the incident involves an attack on a human or other domestic animal. Determining whether a dog is aggressive or dangerous, as well as subsequent citations, depends on a variety of factors that were carefully considered during the investigation.
Ernest said the other dog's owner is paying all of Tico's vet bills.
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
