Children Hospitalized After Fort Worth Dog Attack

Two Fort Worth children who were attacked by dogs while on their way home from school have been released from the hospital.
The Fort Worth dog attack occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, on the 4900 block of Royal Drive near Wycliff Drive.
Seven-year-old Mercedes Garcia was walking with friends when the group was attacked by a large Rottweiler and a smaller Rottweiler puppy. Nearby resident Thomas Harps heard the children scream and used a walking stick to drive the dogs away from the children.  Mercedes and a five-year-old boy were injured.
The children were taken to the hospital. Mercedes needed 42 staples in her head. She was also bitten on the arms. The boy sustained minor injuries and was treated and released.
Neighbors said that they had called animal control earlier in the day to complain about the dogs. After the Fort Worth animal attack, police impounded the dogs and tracked down the owners. Dogs that bite must be quarantined for 10 days and tested for rabies. If the dog is not rabid, even if it has attacked a child, it may be returned to its owner.
However, Texas dog bite victims have the option to file paperwork claiming that a dog is dangerous and presents a hazard to the public. In this case, a hearing is held in front of a municipal judge and the judge can place restrictions on the dog owner, including requiring a $100,000 insurance policy. If the dog owner does not meet the restrictions within 10 days, the animal is euthanized.
Dog bites can cause both physical and emotional scarring. The lawyers and staff at the Rasansky Law Firm would like to wish Mercedes a full recovery.