Texas: Giant alligator nearly run over by a semi-truck is rescued and relocated

CLEVELAND, TEXAS -- A giant alligator nearly the length of a small family car was captured in Cleveland, Texas, early Monday morning as it attempted to cross Highway 59, near a Whataburger restaurant.

The gator, which measured in at 11 feet, 6 inches, was first spotted and reported to the local authorities after it was clipped by an 18-wheeler as it tried to cross the highway, according to the Houston Chronicle.

Chance Ward reported the incident to authorities and said the unusual reptilian traffic hazard was only something you'd see in Texas.

"The Gator measured 11' 6" and will be relocated alive to a safe place out of harm's way," Ward wrote in a Facebook post. "We safely placed the Gator on the flat bed of my truck and strapped him for the ride. Only in Texas will you get a Gator and Whataburger in the same picture."

Speaking to the Chronicle, Ward said he thought that the alligator would've moved by the time he had gotten to the scene, but it was still impeding traffic, causing the road to be blocked and "would rise up and hiss at them anytime someone would get close."

For comparison purposes, the average length of a small family car is between 169 inches (14-feet, 1 inch) and 185 inches (15-feet, 5 inches), depending on the model.

As firefighters shut southbound traffic on the highway, Ward eventually grabbed rope from his truck, lassoed the gator and then handed it to over animal control. It took six men to wrestle the gator onto Ward's pickup truck.

Nicknamed George by Ward, the alligator was relocated Monday morning and Ward praised a job well done by local law enforcement.

"Sergeant Edwards was very helpful with helping me untie the Gator in my stock trailer until relocation in the morning," Ward wrote in the Facebook post. "If you get a chance, thank our local law enforcement and firemen as they not only pull the criminals off the streets, they help keep the wildlife and livestock safe."

*   *   *   *   *   *

Just after noon Monday, Ward was filming George again, this time as he opened the stock trailer and released the gator into a pond in Liberty County, under the guidance of the local game warden.

It took about 20 minutes to get the gator to calm down, tie him on both sides and load him onto the truck Monday morning, but the pond was apparently a welcome sight. George slid out relatively willingly and immediately went for a dip in his new home.

"This is not something we see every day in Cleveland," said Cleveland Police Chief Darrel Brousard. "I think with the recent floods and Harvey, some of these animals are on the move. I encourage anyone who has water around their place, whether it's a creek, river or stream, to be vigilant. Watch your step, especially at dark."

(Charlotte Observer - May 2, 2018)

Texas: Three Pit Bulls euthanized after gruesome attack of San Angelo man leaves skull exposed

TEXAS -- Three dogs have been euthanized after a gruesome attack that left a San Angelo man with serious injuries, according to a news release from the San Angelo Police Department.

About 9:45 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018, police responded to the 300 block of East 11th Street for the report of a vicious animal attack after a caller said three dogs, described as pit bulls according to the news release, were "on top of a man, attacking him."

After officers arrived at the residence, they saw three dogs retreat through a hole in a nearby fence. They next found a Carlos "Ricky" Garces, 56, lying in the driveway of the residence, covered in blood from multiple injuries.

"The man’s skull was exposed, and a large portion of his scalp was missing," according to the news release.

San Angelo Fire Department personnel transported Garces to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries, according to the release.

Family members reached out to the Standard-Times to give an update on his condition.

"If it hadn't been for his neighbor, those dogs would have killed him," said his sister, Nellie Garces. "He's critical but stable."

Nellie Garces, who lives in Brady, Texas, said she traveled to Fort Worth, where her brother is heavily sedated and undergoing treatment.

"The damage is severe," she said. "So far, the doctors are having to go in and clean his skull. His main surgery will be Thursday, which will be about 15 hours, give or take."

She said her brother had been out for a walk after supper when he was attacked.

"I just want to thank the neighbor who helped save my brother's life," Nellie Garces said. "Right now, from here, we're just praying to God he gets better, and we will seek more information on what we need to do to seek justice."

Police said the Pit Bulls’ owner, a 23-year-old San Angelo resident, surrendered the three dogs to Animal Control.

An official with Animal Control Services said they were familiar with the dogs and their owner after a March incident, when the dogs were impounded and temporarily quarantined for observation after an attack on a stray dog. All reportedly showed no signs of rabies after the March incident.

"The dogs, all three pit bull mixes, were destroyed as of this morning as a direct result of the attack," said Morgan Chegwidden, assistant director of Neighborhood and Family Services. "And because the owner surrendered them, we were able to take immediate action."

Chegwidden was unable to comment on any legal ramifications the dog's owner may face as the incident is under investigation, but she said "the state health code provides for a legal procedure where a pet owner can be fined, per animal, in the event of an attack."

(San Angelo Standard-Times - April 17, 2018)

Texas: Four months later, San Angelo boy mauled by pit bull hasn't received money from GoFundMe

TEXAS -- Four months after donors raised over $1,600 in support of a San Angelo boy who was mauled by a pit bull, neither he nor the family have received the money.

Forty-one donors in January gave a total of $1,666 with a goal of reaching $10,000 to benefit a Israel Costilla, according to a screenshot taken of the page before the account was deactivated.

The GoFundMe campaign for Israel was created by Shannon Jolene Carpenter on Jan. 6.

Carpenter, who did not know the Costilla family personally, launched the campaign after seeing the extent of Israel's injuries in a photo provided by Rayetta Trigg, whose pit bull attacked Israel.

"When (Trigg) let me see the picture I literally almost fell off of my stool. I showed the picture to my husband and friend Adam and they were shocked as well," Carpenter said.

Israel needed more than 300 stitches, surgery and physical therapy.

In a statement on the GoFundMe page, Carpenter noted donations would go "directly to (Israel's) well being and help the parents with any extra costs they may have due to this tragic event."

On Jan. 13, Andreana Costilla — Israel's mother — contacted GoFundMe and requested the campaign be deactivated after reaching out to Carperter via text message. Costilla wanted the page deleted for personal reasons.

"I shut the page down immediately once I got that text," Carpenter said.

Four months later, the funds remain held by GoFundMe.

"A lot of the donors have reached out to us," said Ana Costilla — Israel's grandmother, "and I explained the situation to them, and they were very understanding — upset, but understanding."

GoFundMe said Tuesday a payment processor would "continue working with both (Carpenter) and the family to ensure a safe transfer of funds."

Emails between the Costilla family from GoFundMe, however, suggest the funds may never reach the family.

No one in the Costilla family was established as a beneficiary on the campaign, emails between the Costilla family and GoFundMe note. The company urged Costilla to reach out to Carpenter to privately settle the matter.

Multiple attempts of reaching out to Carpenter went unanswered, the family says.

Carpenter thought the issue was settled.

"I assume(d) (GoFundMe) gave the family the money," Carpenter said Tuesday.

Carpenter stated she would contact GoFundMe soon to get the issue worked out.

"I will give (GoFundMe) a call for sure because this situation needs to be resolved immediately," she said.

(San Angelo Standard Times - April 19, 2018)

Earlier:

• Texas: Little boy's face ripped open by Pit Bull that owner claims is a service dog
• Texas: Pit bull that owner claims is a "service dog" will be euthanized after gruesome attack of San Angelo boy
• Texas: Mother of little boy mauled by Pit Bull tells fundraiser to shut down donation page
  

Texas: Family's dog to be euthanized after attacking their 6-year-old daughter

Note: There is a discrepancy in defining the dog. The article first says it's a Pit Bull; later they refer to it as an American Bulldog mix. It may be a Pit Bull / American Bulldog. Either way, it's what's referred to as a "bully breed", the ones known for attacking the most

TEXAS -- A 6-year-old old girl had to be taken to a Tyler hospital Monday after she was attacked by her family's pit bull in the Winona area.

At around 9:15 a.m., two animal control officers and a deputy constable responded to the home in the 12500 block of 18th Avenue.

The Smith County Sheriff's Office stated the child was taken to a hospital by the 6-year-old girl's grandparents. The family did not accept EMS help, according to Smith County Animal Control.

The 1-year-old American bulldog mix was tethered until officials arrived.

SURPRISED OWNERS
The parents of the child reported the dog attack was unprovoked. They also stated there were no display of past aggression in the three months they had owned the pet.

The child had been playing with the dog inside the fenced-in front yard when the child began screaming because she did not want to leave the dog. The dog then attacked the child, biting both of her legs.

Smith County Animal Control has requested for confirmation of the dog’s vaccinations. The dog was surrendered to Animal Control Officers upon arrival to be euthanized and submitted for rabies testing.

The child's name will not be released.

(East Texas Matters - April 2, 2018)

Texas: "Yesterday while on vacation we got a call that Gunther was attacked by a pit bull"

TEXAS -- Tavia Gaytan with Jesus Xthajuicemanx Gaytan posted on Facebook March 16, 2018 ·

Yesterday while on vacation we got a call that Gunther was attacked by a pit bull. He was taken to the vet & thought he would be okay.

Tonight while I was holding him, his breathing changed and just like that our lives turned upside down.

We've had 10 years of memories that we will cherish always. Prayers for our sweet babies while they're broken hearts heal😢🐶 #healourhearts

Texas: Our precious Bobo passed away. His life was ripped away by a Pit Bull

TEXAS -- Melissa Medina posted on Facebook March 21, 2018 ·

Our sweet Bobo, we will always wear the paw prints 🐾 left by you. We have had such a rough week, our precious Bobo passed away on Saturday. God gifted us Bobo for 7 years, he became such an important part of our family. Always comforting, always there, such a great companion! He will be truly missed.

It’s the way he left that hurts the most, his life was ripped away by a Pit Bull. 

There is nothing we can do now, but life will take care of the owners who refuse to believe that their dog is dangerous. Pit bulls are such a controversial topic...

Joanna Tamayo Martinez - Camila told me yesterday. Poor Bobo, he will truly be missed.

Melissa Medina - Si Joanna Tamayo Martinez, still can’t believe it! We tried taking him to the vet but he passed away in my arms... Dalilah has cried sooo much😢

  

 

Texas: Little dog ran for its life after being mauled by a Pit Bull

TEXAS -- Jessica Nail Carothers posted on Facebook to Lubbock Lost And Found Pets, March 12, 2018 at 11:03pm

UPDATE: Elsa has been found!!!! Thank you to everyone who helped to bring this baby home!!

My niece's dog was attacked by a pit bull tonight. She was wounded and took off running. They are new to the area and have been looking but she was very scared and probably doesn't know her surrounding yet. Please keep an eye out and let me know if anyone spots her. Her name is Elsa. She has an orange collar with a pink leash and no tags. Lost in the area of 50th and slide.

Texas: "My baby was just attacked by a pit bull"

TEXAS -- Felicia Jarrett posted on Facebook March 20, 2018 ·

My baby was just attacked by a pit bull

Texas: Family's Pit Bull mauls their four-year-old son to death

CONVERSE, TEXAS -- Authorities identified the 4-year-old boy who was killed Sunday evening after he was bitten by a dog in his own backyard.

Noah Trevino, 4, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The Bexar County Medical Examiner has not determined the cause or manner of death.

Authorities were called to the 8900 block of Twin Creek Farm at about 3:45 p.m. for reports of a dog attack.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office said the 4-year-old was in the backyard Sunday with the family dog, when the "large mix breed" dog bit him on the neck.

Yeah, let's stop with the "large mix breed" nonsense. You can clearly tell in the photo it's a Pit Bull.

His uncle told police that he went outside and the family started CPR to resuscitate the child.

Authorities said the child was airlifted to University Hospital with life-threatening injuries and "excessive trauma." He was later pronounced dead at the hospital, officials said.

The family said the dog has never attacked people. The dog will likely be taken by animal control, authorities said.

(Fox29 - March 25, 2018)

(February 2018) Texas: "My sweet little Bella is recovering from a pit bull attack"

TEXAS -- Marsha Kovar-Wood posted on Facebook February 23, 2018 ·

My sweet little Bella is recovering from a pit bull attack. Dr. Jon said she is one lucky little girl.

Texas: Woman and her dog attacked by a loose Pit Bull; says Pit Bull owner yelled, "He's just playin'!"

TEXAS -- Lashelle Scott posted on Facebook March 1, 2018 at 4:30pm · Houston, TX ·

How my afternoon is going was attacked by a pit bull trying to protect Sparkles.

We are both ok .. momma just has blood everywhere

This lifestory will be epic

  

 

 

Texas: Woman continually puts her small dog in danger after her Pit Bull keeps attacking it - and her

TEXAS -- Dulcee Ann posted on Facebook February 27, 2018 ·

So my pit bull was attacking my small dog today

it’s happened before and I’m always able to get him off but today he was super vicious and I was trying To break it off and while I was doing that shit my dog fucking bites my arm

I couldn’t just leave my dog to die so I kept Trying till I got him off it was the most scariest shit ever but those cry’s I couldn’t bare it 😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫😫

Texas: Woman has her arm nearly torn off by her Pit Bull mix

TEXAS -- An East Texas woman is resting in a Dallas hospital, looking at a long road to recovery after being attacked by one of her own dogs.

Gregg County authorities say it happened on Monday when officers were called to a residence north of Kilgore where the woman suffered serious injuries. Cheryl Carver of Gregg County, a nurse, is recovering in Dallas Parkland hospital from serious wounds to her arms.

"The neighbor told me they heard her hollering for help. One of the other neighbors rescued her. It was severe, absolutely severe. In fact, she had a small wound on the other arm too," says Fred Killingsworth of the Gregg County Health Department.   

County health officials and deputies were called to the scene.

"Upon arriving they found out that the victim's own dog had attacked her," says Josh Tubb of the Gregg County Sheriff's Office.

Family members say Carver loves the dogs.

"Whatever  triggers them, we don't know what triggers them. I don't know if she was trying to feed it, got between it and another dog, she had several other dogs out there. Don't know the cause for the attack," Killingsworth says.

"Neighbors and witnesses’ nearby were able to get her away from the dog and apply pressure to the wound," Tubb says.

Something the family says probably saved Carver's life.

"Once EMS responded she was later flown to a Dallas hospital for treatment," Tubb says.

Carver's injuries included severely deep bite wounds and broken bones. But she’s alive.

The attacking dog, which is a mixed breed Pit Bull mix, was quarantined.

YouCaring: Dog Attack!!!!

For: Cheryl Carver

Longview, TX

Organizer: Sherry Carver

This is a fundraiser for my mother, Cheryl Carver.  She is a nurse in East Texas.  

If you know her, then you know that she is extremely passionate about her dogs and saving every stray that comes around. 

Prior to October 2017, she rescued a challenging pit bull. This dog was aggressive, but that only made her feel more inclined to show this abused animal love and care. 

In October, this dog bit her hand and broke her finger. She had to have surgery to fuse the bone together. The health department wanted to take the dog, but she wasn't having it. 

Despite this, she fought for this dog until she got her way to keep the dog and wanted to continue helping it. I'm sure she blamed herself for being bitten. 

A few days ago, the dog attacked her again. This time her arm was almost completely torn from her body. 

After surgery

My mother was airlifted to Dallas. She is currently in Parkland Hospital.   She has had one surgery and has another tomorrow. The doctors expect her to be there 3 months. Her 3 forever fur babies will stay with me  and my sisters. She will lose her home, her car, and most likely her job. We will be storing what we can. The medical bills are going to be insane and most likely I will go insane too. I need PRAYERS AND STRENGTH for her. 

For my mom,  I promise not to hate all pit bulls because one almost took her life after her saving his two times. 

I have cried and asked myself why so many times today??!!! The answer is this, she forgave that dog while she laid there not knowing her own fate. She only thinks about the abuse that was caused to the poor animal to make them react in the way.  This was another rescue. She has a very long road ahead of her y'all. Please please please pray for an easy recovery.  We are letting the house, and possibly the car go and we plan to help her with what she needs and take care of her animals. We are not sure on the outcome of her arm and future use of it, but we are hoping for the best. I LOVE YOU MOMMA. YOU ARE SELFLESS IN A WAY THAT I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND BUT I WILL TRY. 😥😥😥

Cheryl Carver posted on Facebook February 11 at 11:46am · 

For the record to be clear. I CALLED HEALTH DEPT AND. PERSONALLY REQUESTED MY DOG THAT ATTACKED ME TO BE PUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY BEFORE I WAS AIRLIFTED WITH MY NEIGHBORS ASSISTANCE. I WAS ASKED IF HE HAD RABIES VACCINE AND ASSURED THEM HE HAD...THEY OFFERED QUARANTINE FIRST WHUCH I REFUSED AND REQUESTED IMMEDIATE PUT DOWN...Make no mistake that this dog is not safe to own by anyone. The KLTV post states he is being. Held for quarantine ...whether that is for positive influence for those faint of heart or actually true I will find out asap and correct if not already done as I requested but again...make no mistake...not safe dog ever...dont learn the hard way like I did. ...i will no longer be rescuing dogs as I always have and I regret I can't but I won't change my mind...I will only own those I already have raised. From birth for their lifetimes then no more....i encourage those willing to continue safely only bit no breed is all bad or all good...depends on us not breed

Some sort of drama was going on in the comments... people were telling her not to trust Pit Bulls, that they are inherently dangerous, etc. She or her daughter didn't like that so they had YouCaring delete all the comments. I hope they refunded the people who had donated and who then had their comments removed. 

(KLTV - February 9, 2018)