Owners of Pit Bulls Involved in Sylmar Attack Located

Animal control officers have located the owners of two pit bull terriers that badly mauled a Sylmar man Wednesday, tearing off an ear and part of his scalp.

Officer Troy Boswell of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services identified one owner as Pamela Joyce Curry of Sylmar. He declined to name the other owner, who shares a residence with Curry, saying authorities were still investigating whether that person had given the dogs away before the attack.

The pit bulls, a male and a female, attacked Ascension Cervantez, a 40-year-old father of three, just after he arrived for work at Valley Crest Tree Co.

Cervantez, who has undergone surgery to repair injuries to his head, leg and hand, was listed in fair condition Saturday at County/USC Medical Center, hospital spokeswoman Adelaida De La Cerda said.

“He continues to improve,” she said. Cervantez faces a series of reconstructive surgeries.

Animal control officers removed two other pit bulls from the owners’ residence Friday, Boswell said.

Sgt. Robert Quihuis of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Foothill Division said that if dogs involved in an attack are roaming loose--as was the apparent case in Wednesday’s incident--the case is handled by animal control authorities, not the police.

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But the owners could face criminal negligence charges, Boswell said. After the Department of Animal Services investigates the case, it could be forwarded to the city attorney for prosecution.

The dogs who mauled Cervantez are being held at the West Valley Animal Care and Control Center in Chatsworth. As with many dog attacks, the department may hold a hearing to decide whether the dogs should be put to sleep or returned to their owners, Boswell said.