We need help. Please sign our petition to bring attention to the egregious behavior of these irresponsible pet owners and the ineffectiveness of the Texas Health and Safety Code Section 822.043 as it’s written…

In June 2022, Jason Smith (a 12-year resident of Binglewood neighborhood in Spring Branch/Houston, Texas) and his 4 year old son walked their small dog on their neighborhood street. Just two houses around the corner from their own, two dogs broke free from their backyard fence in full attack. One dog targeted the father and small dog and the other advanced on the young boy. The father fought off both dogs and eventually chased them away, but not before the young boy sustained major injuries - bites to his chest, ribs and arms. The boy was taken to the nearest ER for attention to his wounds, stitches and X-rays. 

To date (January 2023) the young boy’s flesh wounds have healed but obvious bite scars and emotional scars remain. 

Just following the incident, the dogs were caught and returned to the home of their owner. The victim’s family contacted HPD Animal Division and BARC for intervention. BARC declared the dogs dangerous and ordered the dogs be turned over to BARC, but the owners refused to comply, claiming Sovereign Citizenship. The local Binglewood Civic Club is sympathetic, but their attempts to approach the dog owners have had little effect.

The family has come to understand that due to a loophole in Section 822.403, a judge cannot physically remove a dog from its home even with a warrant (unless the bites puncture an organ, require skin grafts, etc. - injuries just short of death).

Minor repairs to the streetline fence have been made, but the dogs continue to aggressively bark at passerbyers and have charged the fence on numerous occasions. The dogs have reportedly broken through the fence into the yard of their rear neighbor. In December 2022, a neighbor walking 2 small dogs witnessed one of the dogs push through another weak slat in the fence, sticking his head out and barking agressively. The neighborhood constable was called. Another minor repair was made to the fence. 

As of today, January 2023, the dogs remain in the backyard and the fence is in sub standard state of repair. Neighbors on the street fear for their own safety and especially the safety of their children and small pets.

We beg for the attention of BARC, HPD Animal Division, the District Attorney, the office of Houston City Council Member for District A, Amy Peck and the Regulatory and Neighborhood Affairs Committee, local media, and anyone else that can help.

Our Sincere Appreciation,

Concerned Neighbors of Binglewood