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First responders fight off vicious dogs who killed 80-year-old man,
injured 3 others in San Antonio
By Patrick Reilly
February 24, 2023 10:42pm Updated
First responders at the scene where an 80-year-old man was killed and three others were injured in a dog attack
in San Antonio Friday. KSAT
An elderly man was killed and three others were hospitalized after a vicious dog attack in San Antonio Friday, authorities said.
Emergency crews responded to the “horrific scene” in the Texas city’s West Side around 2 p.m. and found a “completely bloody” 80-year-old man being dragged onto the sidewalk by one of two American Staffordshire terriers involved in the deadly attack, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood told KSAT.
When SAFD firefighters got off the truck they were attacked by the dogs and forced to defend themselves with pickaxes and pike poles while they tried to treat the victim, he said.
“This is not something normal for us. We usually don’t show up and have to defend patients from animals or ourselves,” Hood said.
The elderly man was given blood at the scene but died of his injuries, according to officials.
The horror unfolded after the elderly man and a 74-year-old woman, who had just arrived on the street to visit friends, stepped outside of their vehicle, San Antonio police said.
At that time, the two dogs escaped from the neighbor’s yard and attacked the duo — who were described by police as a couple.
The two dogs involved in the attack and another from the same home were unrestrained at the time
and were taken into the custody of San Antonio Animal Care Services. KSAT
The dogs caused “visible bite injuries to both victims,” police said. A fire captain suffered a bite wound to the leg and a third victim was bitten in the hand. All three surviving victims were taken to University Hospital for treatment.
“Horrific scene, horrific for the people who experienced it and horrific for our firefighters that were part of this,” Hood said.
The two dogs involved in the attack and another dog from the same home were unrestrained at the time and have been taken into the custody of San Antonio Animal Care Services. They will reportedly be euthanized Friday night.
The two Staffordshire terriers, a male and female, were involved in another attack two years ago when they were also impounded with animal services, ACS Director Shannon Sims told KSAT.
Police arrested dog owner Christian Moreno following the attacks.
San Antonio Police Department
Sims said the shelter has received numerous calls from concerned neighbors over the last two years claiming the dogs were neglected and seemed to be strays.
The dogs’ owner, Christian Moreno, 31, was arrested and is facing felony charges of attack by dangerous dog causes death and injury to an elderly, police said.
'Bachcha' the Sarus crane refuses to leave its saviour
Strangely, the crane's love for the man does not extend
to his family members
'Bachcha' the Sarus crane with its saviour Mohammed Arif.
'Published: March 07, 2023 08:19
IANS
Lucknow: Mohammed Arif, 30, works as a harvester operator in Mandka village of Amethi's Jamo development block.
Arif had spotted a badly injured Sarus crane in a field in February last year.
"The bird was bleeding profusely in its right leg and I could see it was in a lot of pain. I picked it up and brought the bird home. I put some medicine on its leg and applied a plaster by fixing a bamboo stick and covering it with bandages. I have an outhouse, basically a shed with a tin roof where the bird was kept," Arif said.
The bird took some time to recover.
"During the day, when I left for my work, the crane would hop around and mingle with other birds. But when I came home in the evening, the crane would come to me, cuddle me and we ate dinner together," Arif said.
By April, the bird had fully recovered but it refused to leave his home.
"Life has not been the same since then. Now, wherever I go, the Sarus, whom everyone calls 'Bachcha', accompanies me to work. The bird takes a stroll when I am working and then we both have lunch together before returning home in the evening," he adds.
He said, "People stare at us and take our photographs. Some even make reels but now I enjoy the stares."
During the winter season other Sarus cranes arrive in the area but Bachcha has not gone back with them.
Strangely, the crane's love for Arif does not extend to his family members.
Arif's wife Mehrunissa said, "Whenever in the absence of my husband, I have gone to feed him, I have been attacked. Neither I nor my two kids dare go near the sarus."
Wildlife experts have a different opinion of the incident and they advise caution.
Sarus cranes are regarded as the least social crane species. They can be very protective when nesting and are aggressive towards intruders.
Lucknow divisional forest officer Ravi Singh said that 'Sarus' is a wild bird under the Wildlife Protection Act.
"We have a system to protect and nurture it, but one should be cautious. You cannot touch its wings or hold it near you. No human touch is allowed," he said.
The Sarus must be allowed to live itself in the wild and it cannot be domesticated and allowed contact with humans. A diet of insects and fish must be given to the bird, he added.
What if the bird doesn't want to live in the wild and prefers ham sandwiches for lunch?
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