A mother and her young son were left with multiple injuries after being bitten by their family dog on the South Side, according to Animal Care Services. The incident happened Wednesday afternoon in the 100 block of Montrose, near South Presa Street, and ACS says the dog was reportedly shot during the event. Animal Care Services said it is “working with officers to determine further details.”
Authorities converged on the neighborhood Wednesday after calls about a serious dog bite. Responding crews from Animal Care Services arrived alongside police to secure the scene and gather initial information from family members and any witnesses in the area. Neighbors described a sudden, chaotic response as first responders worked to establish what had happened.
Reports indicate the dog belonged to the household and that both the mother and her son suffered multiple injuries in the attack. The exact nature and severity of those wounds have not been disclosed publicly, but the description suggests the bite was more than a minor incident. Family pets involved in attacks often leave households shaken and facing difficult decisions about care and accountability.
Multiple accounts say the dog was shot during the incident, a detail that elevated the situation from a typical bite call to one involving potential use of force. Animal Care Services confirmed the shooting and reiterated it is “working with officers to determine further details.” Officials typically need to reconcile medical, public safety, and animal welfare aspects in cases where a firearm is involved.
When Animal Care Services steps in after a bite, standard procedure includes documenting injuries, determining the animal’s vaccination and health status, and deciding whether quarantine or surrender is appropriate. Investigators also look at the environment where the dog was kept, any prior complaints on file, and whether local leash and confinement ordinances were followed. That layered approach helps agencies piece together why an owned dog turned aggressive and what comes next for the animal and the family.
Events like this often spark broader conversations about responsible pet ownership and the thin line between a loved pet and a public danger. Questions about training, containment, and supervision are routine after a family dog attacks someone in its own home or yard. Communities also wrestle with how to balance compassion for families attached to animals with the need to protect vulnerable neighbors, including children.
From a medical standpoint, bites to children and adults carry risks beyond the immediate trauma: infection, scarring, and emotional impact can persist long after the physical wounds heal. Health professionals commonly recommend prompt evaluation, wound care, and, when warranted, prophylactic antibiotics or other treatments to minimize complications. Local hospitals and urgent care centers often see a spike in visits after neighborhood animal attacks.
Additional information was not immediately available as ACS and police continue their review of the incident and next steps for the animal and the family.
