A Houston man is facing hefty fines and even possible jail time following a horrific incident during which his pit bull attacked and seriously injured a toddler.
Court records claim that the 22-year-old suspect, Anthony Ruff, was know to allow his animal to run without a leash on the grounds of his southwest Houston apartment complex. The defendant insists the dog — later identified by animal control as a pit bull and Rottweiler mix — has never shown signs of aggression.
Tragedy struck on Aug. 26 when Ruff asked his 8-year-old stepson to take the dog for a bathroom break in the outdoor common area where several neighborhood children were playing. Before long, the animal had its jaws around the 2-year-old victim.
The victim's mother says she found her son and the unleashed dog both covered in blood.
The toddler's mother bolted to the scene, where she says she found her son and the unleashed dog both covered in blood.
The injured boy, whom witnesses initially presumed dead, was rushed to Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center where he was treated for deep puncture wounds on his back as well as multiple lacerations across the face and scalp. Luckily, he survived the ordeal.
After a week-long investigation, officers with the Houston Police Department arrested Ruff on felony charges for the gruesome dog attack. The defendant was taken to a county jail and later released on a $5,000 bond. A court date is set for early October.
A Houston man is face felony charges after his reportedly off-leash dog attacked a toddler in August. (File photo)
