A Tampa family was mauled last week after trying to dress their dog in a Christmas sweater, police said.
- Scarface the dog attacks Tampa family
- Family tried to put Christmas sweater on dog, police say
- Animal was euthanized following attack
According to Tampa Police, the dog, named Scarface, attacked its owner on Friday afternoon at their Cord Street home and then continued to attack other family members who sought to stop the attack.
Police said 52-year-old Brenda Guerrero was trying to dress the dog in a Christmas sweater when it attacked her. Her husband, Ismael, attempted to pull the dog off his wife when the dog began attacking him.
The couple's son, 22-year-old Antoine Harris, also intervened, stabbing the dog in the head and neck. The dog then began attacking Harris. All three were able to escape into the house, leaving the dog in the backyard. Officials did not detail the extent of the family's injuries.
Animal Control and Tampa Police Department responded to the scene.
After animal control officers shot Scarface with a tranquilizer gun, the dog got back into the house. Police said there were two younger children in a back room at the time, but they were not injured.
At that point, Tampa officers deployed a bean bag gun and stun gun to subdue the dog.
Eventually, Scarface was captured by Animal Control by using a catch pole. The dog was euthanized hours after the attack.
Hillsborough County Pet Resources Director Scott Trebatoski released the following statement Tuesday:
“The dog was surrendered by its owners to the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center on Dec. 30 with the understanding it would be euthanized. The veterinarian on duty determined that it was in the best interest of the dog due to the severe stab wounds it received and for the high risk of danger it posed to the public to euthanize the dog immediately.”