Updated Monday, October 31, 2016:
On May 2, 2016, around 4:30 a.m. Ms. Antoinette Brown was attacked by a pack of dogs in the 3300 block of Rutledge. Ms. Brown died as a result of her injuries on May 9, 2016.
Although no witnesses could say for certain which dogs were involved in the attack, residents pointed to a house on Spring Street where dogs have been known to escape their enclosure. Detectives responded to that location and spoke with the owner of the dogs. The owner surrendered the dogs to Dallas Animal Services where the dogs were held for a period of time and were processed for evidence.
DNA Samples and evidence collected from the dogs were submitted to Southwest Institute of Forensics Science (SWIFS). Results from testing were negative for a match.
The Dallas Police Department submitted the samples to the University of California at Davis for additional DNA processing to determine if a link could be made between the seized dogs and Ms. Brown.
Dallas Police were notified by the University of California at Davis Veterinary Genetic Laboratories Forensics Unit that the samples submitted did not contain DNA evidence that would link the animals that were suspected of the attack to Ms. Brown. Based on the lack of evidence, detectives will be closing the case.
The Dallas Police Department and Dallas Animal Services continue to work together to coordinate responses to animal disturbances and attacks to reduce injuries to citizens.
Original Post
On May 2, 2016, at 4:43 a.m., the Dallas Police Department received a call regarding a female in a vacant field calling for help at 3300 Rutledge Street. Police officers arrived at the scene at 4:50 a.m. Another call was received at 5:02 am from a different person that a female was being attacked by 4 to 5 dogs in a vacant field. Dallas Fire Rescue along with Dallas Police discovered Ms. Antoinette Brown in the vacant field and immediately transported her to Baylor Hospital.
Detectives canvassed the area on the same day and interviewed both reporting persons at the location where the attack took place. Crime Scene processed the scene where the attack took place and went to the hospital to gather evidence from the victim. The reporting persons identified a nearby home where they believed the dogs may have come from. Detectives responded to the location and could not find anyone at the house and no dogs were located. Reporting persons were advised by detectives to call 311 if any dogs were spotted in the area.
On May 5, 2016, Dallas Animal Services reviewed the address and found previous 311 calls regarding loose dogs complaints. Seven dogs were found living at the location and Dallas Animal Services was able to take 6 dogs into possession on May 6, 2016. The seventh dog was located on May 9, 2016 and quarantined. Between July 2013 and August 2014, records indicate residents made 10 calls regarding this location. In 2014, the owner surrendered ten dogs after repeated visits and violation notices from Dallas Animal Services. In September 2015, neighbors reported an attack in progress, resulting in five citations being issued and surrendering of three more dogs that were subsequently euthanized. Dallas Animal Services issued an additional 16 citations on May 6, 2016.
The owners gave permission on May 6, 2016 for Dallas Animal Services to take custody of the animals. These dogs were processed for evidence to confirm whether they were involved in the attack on Ms. Brown. Dallas Police have submitted the evidence to Southwest Institute of Forensics Science and are awaiting the results of testing.
The Dallas Police Department is investigating this incident as an Attack by Dog offense as defined in Section 822.005 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.
Sec. 822.005. ATTACK BY DOG. (a) A person commits an offense if the person is the owner of a dog and the person:
(1) with criminal negligence, as defined by Section 6.03, Penal Code, fails to secure the dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person that occurs at a location other than the owner’s real property or in or on the owner’s motor vehicle or boat and that causes serious bodily injury, as defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code, or death to the other person; or
(2) knows the dog is a dangerous dog by learning in a manner described by Section 822.042(g) that the person is the owner of a dangerous dog, and the dangerous dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person that occurs at a location other than a secure enclosure in which the dog is restrained in accordance with Subchapter D and that causes serious bodily injury, as defined by Section 822.001, or death to the other person.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree unless the attack causes death, in which event the offense is a felony of the second degree.
(c) If a person is found guilty of an offense under this section, the court may order the dog destroyed by a person listed in Section 822.004.
(d) A person who is subject to prosecution under this section and under any other law may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
On May 9, 2016, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Ms. Brown passed away as a result of her injuries while at Baylor Hospital. This remains an ongoing investigation.