DALLAS — A pregnant woman was hospitalized after she was attacked by an unleashed dog Monday afternoon. The Dallas Police Department received a report about the attack on Tuesday.
Police say the woman, Reyna Gutierrez, was attacked around 3:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Tides at Highland Meadows apartment complex in the 11300 block of Amanda Lane. This is northeast of White Rock Lake and southeast of Dallas College's Richland Campus.
In an interview with WFAA, Gutierrez, who is eight months pregnant, said she and her children were just getting home from school pick-up when the dog began chasing her. Gutierrez didn't see the dog coming. It began biting her arms without letting go.
"I couldn't do anything," Gutierrez said in Spanish. "I tried to cover myself with my son's backpack."
The family's home surveillance video shows her son run away, while her daughter jumps onto a car to get to safety. Gutierrez and her children could be heard screaming during the video.
As the attack unfolded, a good samaritan who was working at the apartment complex ran over to help Gutierrez, but the dog quickly attacked him. The man suffered injuries to his stomach, Gutierrez told WFAA.
The video shows a man, who appeared to be the dog's owner, walking up to put it on a leash before walking away.
Gutierrez was treated at the hospital for bites on both her hands and arms, said Dallas PD. Gutierrez said she had to spend 24 hours in the hospital in order for her unborn child to be monitored.
Wednesday, Gutierrez was still shaken by the attack and said she's still afraid to go outside. A gofundme has been set up to cover medical costs and help her family.
"If it wasn't me, what if it would've been one of the kids?" Gutierrez said. "I can't bear watching the video. I feel scared."
A few days ago, Gutierrez saw the same dog chase after someone else, but that person was able to get away, she said. Gutierrez is unsure who the dog belongs to and whether the owner is a resident at the apartments.
Wednesday, Dallas Animal Services was at the apartment complex and knocked on several doors.
"I just want people to be responsible," Gutierrez said. "How could you take your dog out without a leash knowing it's aggressive?"
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.