Dog Attacks Owner’s Mom: What Animal Authorities Claim Could Prevent This Type Of Dog Attack [Video]

A dog attacks an owner’s mom in Houma, Louisiana, leaving her with severe lacerations Monday night. The dog reportedly is a pit bull mix that turned on the 71-year-old woman while her son was working.

WWL AM970/FM105.3 reports that investigators confirm the woman was inside her home at the time of the attack.

“Houma Police Officers responded to the 1200 block of Ellender Street in East Houma reference to a medical complaint involving a female with a large gash to her face,” Police Chief Todd Duplantis says in a statement. “Upon arrival officers learned that a 71 year old female victim was attacked by her son’s dog.

Duplantis adds:

“The victim suffered severe lacerations to her face, hands, and arms. She was transported to Leonard Chabert Medical Center for treatment and remains hospitalized. Animal control was contacted and responded to the scene where they took custody of the male dog (Apollo) that attacked the victim along with another female dog(Rocky) that was inside the home also at the time of the attack. Both dogs appear to be that of a pit-bull mix.”

According to Eyewitness 4 News, animal control now see a pattern to recent dog attacks, even saying they could be prevented.

Apollo and Rocky are now calm — quaranteened in caged runs at the Terrebonne Parish Animal Shelter. Apollo went on a violent rampage while his owner was at work, mauling her with severe injuries. Neighbors called 911 to report “Ms. Evelyn” was being attacked by a dog. Officers say the scene was “horrific” when they arrived.

“Ms Evelyn’s” injuries are non-life threatening but she’ll remain in the hospital several days before she’s released.

One neighbor, Star Smith, says he doesn’t like pit bulls because he has children:

“I don’t want no pit bulls around the neighborhood because I have a baby, and we have a pit bull right there for my brother, and I really don’t trust pit bulls.”

While an investigation needs to be thoroughly conducted, animal control officers discuss what could have played a role in Apollo being aggressive and attack the 71-year-old woman. They note that Rocky is in heat, Apollo isn’t neutered, and they were very close to each other.

Valerie Robinson, manager at Terrebonne Animal Shelters, says:

“A male instinctively wants to breed with her, so sometimes that aggression in not being able to do so or people, seem like obstacles to that female in heat.”

Apparently the same type of situation resulted back in March when a 4-year-old girl was mauled and killed by her pet pit bull in Houma.

“It is so incredibly important to spay and neuter your animals. Spaying and neutering animals can help prevent temperament issues,” adds Robinson.

Duplantis realizes that’s just one possibility, however. As the investigation gets underway, they’ll look at a lot of factors to answer probing questions about the dog attack.

After the fatal attack in March, Terrebonne Parish has “increased fines and penalties for dangerous and vicious” dog attacks.

[Photo Credit: Screen Shot/Eyewitness 4 News]