© Angela Antunes / CC by 2.0
Video of the attack captured on home security cameras was released by the Manor Police Department, showing neighbours rush to the boy's aid as the dog continues its assault.
Police were called to a home in northeast Manor around 8 p.m. Monday following calls of an animal attack on a young boy. Police say Brison Aldridge was playing in his yard when his neighbour's dog took advantage of his owner opening the front door to bolt from his house - and run right for the boy.
Aldrige tries to flee the animal but is taken down as he runs onto the street. For several seconds, the dog attacks the helpless boy before neighbours rush to his aid, including the dog's owner, who tries to wrestle the animal off him.
"Next thing you know, one of the neighbourhood kids ran up and said Brison was being attacked by a dog," Brison's mother, Shauna Aldrige, told CBS News. "The neighbours were coming over, they had blood on their shirt. It was terrifying."
The boy suffered bite wounds to his back and thigh. He was taken to hospital for treatment but has since been released.
The dog, described by police as "some sort of pit bull mix," was taken to Austin Animal Center and placed on a 10-day rabies watch quarantine after the owner agreed to voluntarily surrender the animal to authorities.
The dog's owner is now facing fines for a number of charges: having an unregistered dog, unprovoked attack, no proof of rabies vaccination, and having an animal at large. KXAN News reports the fines could total over US$400. Police are also considering third-degree assault charges for felony attack by a dog.
The Aldrige family is also considering a lawsuit to cover the cost of Brison's medical expenses. They're still waiting to hear back on whether or not the animal had rabies.
Otherwise, they're just glad it wasn't worse.
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