SOCORRO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — Footage obtained by KFOX14/CBS4 on Monday shows the moment a child was swarmed by a pack of dogs in a Socorro neighborhood.
According to the video, a young girl who was walking to her bus stop on the 11600 block of Flor Freesia Drive in Socorro had a frightening encounter this morning when a pack of dogs began to swarm her.
However, her father heard the commotion and intervened.
Her mother, Mary Zamora, described the frightening moments after Ataiah’s father rescued her.
“She was so scared. She was shaking when dad brought her back in,” she said.
Neighbors in the area, including Luis Aguilera, expressed concern over the recurring issue of loose dogs.
“It’s a lot of danger here, it’s a lot for the children, the children can’t go out alone,” Aguilera said.
According to the Socorro Police Department, the 8-year-old girl was chased and attacked by a pack of stray mixed-breed dogs.
The child sustained a single bite injury and defended herself until her father intervened, causing the dogs to disperse.
Samuel Zamora, Ataiah’s father, said, “I’m not sure I’m a hero, but I know I would take care of my kids, you know.”
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She was taken for medical treatment by her family, police said.
Ataiah was taken to a local hospital as a precaution and given a rabies shot according to her parents.
The Socorro Police Department’s Animal Control Unit, in collaboration with SPD Patrol Officers and the El Paso County Animal Welfare Unit, captured 11 dogs linked to a single property in the area.
All captured dogs were then transferred to El Paso Animal Services, where they will be euthanized.
Police said the dog that bit the child will undergo rabies testing as a precaution, though there is no evidence of rabies exposure.
However, two stray dogs remain at large, and the Socorro police urge residents to exercise caution around stray animals.
Additionally, SPD Animal Control issued multiple citations to the caretaker for violations, including standards for animal care, animal not confined, animal not vaccinated, attack by a dangerous dog, and aggressive/dangerous animal.
According to police, an individual residing nearby had been feeding and providing water to the strays.
While the search for the two remaining dogs continues, Socorro police have advised residents not to approach or handle stray animals and to contact SPD Animal Control to report sightings or concerns.
“This unfortunate incident serves as a serious reminder that feeding or sheltering stray animals—while well-intentioned—can lead to dangerous situations for our community,” Chief of Police Robert C. Rojas said in a statement.
The family expressed relief that the situation did not escalate further.
“I’m just glad she didn’t fall because if she would have, well, I don’t know, they would have attacked her more. There was so many dogs. We were so scared,” Mary Zamora said.
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