Hurley animal control officer's unlicensed dog bites boy

NEW MEXICO -- A dog attacking a child is enough to make any parent cringe. Unfortunately, it happens often in New Mexico. But this instance is exacerbated because the dog's owner is the one person in Hurley, NM who should know the rules about dogs.

An Australian shepherd mix named Goliath got out of its yard and bit a child's leg while the child was riding his bike.

A police report states its owners had to beat the dog to get it to open its jaws and let go. The child suffered deep wounds.

The dog is three years old, isn't neutered, doesn't have current vaccinations and isn't licensed – all major blunders, considering its owner is Delilah Huerta, the animal control worker in town tasked with enforcing those rules.

"I just want justice for my son," said the woman whose son was attacked. "Just because she is the dog catcher, all rules apply to everybody no matter who you are."

The responding officer even considered asking Huerta what to do with the dog.

KOB contacted Huerta, but she didn't want to talk about the case until a hearing scheduled later this month that will determine what will be done with the dog is over.

The dog could be euthanized or returned home.

  

According to a spokesperson at the Hurley Municipal Court, Huerte pleaded guilty to not having a license and having a dog at large that resulted in a bite.

(KOB - Oct 9, 2015)