MANVEL, Texas -- A Houston Texans player was once again cited for allowing his pit bulls to escape his Brazoria County property, KPRC Local 2 reported Thursday.

Jerome Mathis, 24, is a wide receiver for the Texans.

"To find out that this incident last night happened where it's just three days prior to his court appearance is absurd. I just can't believe an animal owner would be that reckless," said a female witness, who did not want to be identified.

Investigators said Mathis' pit bulls got loose from Mathis' property and ran next door to the Cobblestone Park Apartments in the 3800 block of CR 94 last month.

The apartment manager called 911 because the dogs were running loose and chased a female resident into her apartment, according to deputies. A couple also jumped on top of a parked car to avoid the dogs, officials said.

When a sheriff's deputy arrived, he said he found one of the pit bulls running toward a woman "in an aggressive manner." The deputy fired at the dog because he thought it was going to attack the woman. The dog was not hit.

"The police officer fired a shot at him. I was more concerned about the puppies and didn't realize the dogs were coming after me until the police officer fired the shot. And, of course, it scared me to death," the unidentified woman said.

The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office Animal Control Division issued eight Class C misdemeanors to Mathis -- having an animal at large and harboring unvaccinated animals.

Police said two of Mathis' dogs escaped again on Wednesday night and an off-duty deputy reported him.

Brazoria County officials said they have not attempted to get Mathis' dogs ruled dangerous because there is not enough evidence.

They said they want Mathis to know that unleashed dogs are not tolerated in Manvel.

Mathis is scheduled to appear in court on Monday on the first set of charges.

Mathis was selected by the Texans in the fourth round in the 2005 NFL draft and signed by the Texans on July 29, 2005. He was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 23, 2006, and again on Oct. 6, 2007.