Authorities release mug shot of owner whose dog mauled young girl in Old Town Spring

Jennifer Leane Romano, 46, has been charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence and injury to a child. (HCSO)

SPRING, Texas – The woman who owned a dog that mauled a 3-year-old girl in Old Town Spring has been charged, records show.

Jennifer Leane Romano, 46, has been charged with tampering/fabricating physical evidence and injury to a child.

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The girl, Ronin Waldroup, was left with nearly 20 stitches after she was bitten in the face on Jan. 9 when she and her family walked into a restaurant. The family said the owner of the dog, Romano, did not ask if she could help, did not apologize and did not stick around. The Waldroups said Romano and a man who was with her fled the scene and abandoned the dog.

Child attacked by dog in Old Town Spring on Jan 9, 2021. (Montgomery County Animal Shelter)

The dog was later found on Jan. 14 and was taken into custody at the Montgomery County Animal Services and Adoption Center. The dog was euthanized after Judge Matt Beasley ruled in favor of the state.

The dog was put down at the beginning of February, records show.

Roman is scheduled to appear in court Monday night.


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Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.