Aurora – The woman whose 10-year-old son was attacked by pit bulls a month ago is being evicted from her rental house days after the boy’s release from the hospital.
Gregg Jones, 10, was released Tuesday night from Children’s Hospital. By Saturday, the family must be out of the house, at 16642 E. Asbury Ave., according to a court order.
Court records show Gregg’s mother, Renee Muniz, failed to pay the $1,500 rent. The landlord posted a notice on the home’s front door two days after the Nov. 2 attack, demanding full payment, plus $200 in late fees and legal fees. The payment was for part of October and November.
Muniz, however, was camped out at the hospital and wasn’t concerned about the rent, said the boy’s aunt, Johanna Jones.
“She didn’t want to leave her son,” Jones said. “The landlord’s wife told her she needed to leave the hospital, go back to work and pay the rent. She wasn’t going to do that.”
An eviction notice was sent Nov. 21, and a hearing was held Monday.
Landlord Cary Zwern couldn’t be reached for comment. Attorney Mark Tschetter, who wrote up the legal documents, also couldn’t be reached.
“She has lived in that house for 6 1/2 years,” Jones said. “She was struggling to pay the rent to begin with. But with this attack, now the landlord wants her out. … She’s got five kids and a grandbaby and a son who has some severe issues and needs a home. I think she has had enough tragedy. I wish someone could step forward and really help her.”
The attack severely injured Gregg, who had just returned from school when three dogs being kept in his backyard mauled him. Neighbors came to his rescue, chasing off the dogs with sticks.
The dogs bit Gregg’s face, back and arms. He was hospitalized in critical condition for days and underwent numerous surgeries, including the amputation of his left arm. He is able to talk but still must be fed through a tube and needs six hours of daily physical therapy. Gregg is being home-schooled and isn’t likely to return to school for another two months, Jones said.
“He knows and he remembers it all,” said Jones. “He told his mom what happened. He is excited to be home with his brothers and sisters. He still has his good days and bad days.”
Gregg isn’t afraid of dogs either, Jones said, because pet visits at the hospital helped him grow accustomed to dogs again.
Muniz and Jones released a statement, thanking people for their cards, gifts and prayers.
Aurora police detectives completed their investigation into the attack and presented it to the 18th Judicial District attorney’s office to determine whether any charges will be filed against Muniz, but the district attorney in charge of the case had some questions that are being sorted out by the investigator, spokeswoman Kathleen Walsh said.
Police shot and wounded one of the dogs on the property. It was later euthanized.
The attack came nine days after the City Council ratified an ordinance banning new pit bulls in Aurora and imposing strict regulations on existing ones.
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
