SAN ANTONIO -- A man and a San Antonio police officer are recovering after being mauled by a pack of dogs overnight Monday.
Officer Matthew Belver saved a 39-year-old man's life who was allegedly being attacked by up to five pit bull-type dogs just after midnight. Belver responded to the 700 blk of Cantrell Drive for reports of a man screaming in the street and dogs barking.
According to reports, the officer witnessed the victim unconscious in the street being picked apart by the dogs. The officer got out of his patrol car and was attacked too. Investigators say Belver pulled his gun, fired nine rounds killing two dogs and wounding a third.
The nine year veteran of SAPD had multiple bite wounds to his face, forearm, groin, calf, and left tricep. He was transported to Downtown Baptist to be treated.
The victim was taken to the San Antonio Military Medical Center in critical condition. Investigators say his skull was exposed, his ear was bitten off, and chunks of his flesh were ripped off his body.
The dogs owners told police someone let their dogs out. Animal Care Services is handling the criminal investigation.
