Man wanted for murder now facing new charges after pit bull attack kills neighbor in northeast Houston

Suspect also wanted for murder day before dog attack

Pit Bulls (kprc)

HOUSTON – A man who was already wanted for a murder in 2024 has now been hit with three new charges after his dogs killed his neighbor during an attack on March 23 in northeast Houston, according to records.

Marshall Garrett was charged with three counts of attack by dog resulting in death. The Houston Police Department said 65-year-old Harriet Phillips was found dead in the backyard of her home, located in the 8000 block of Wayside Village Way.

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The dogs had broken through a shared fence in the backyard of the residence, according to police.

READ: 3 pit bulls euthanized after Houston woman dies following attack

Police said the owner of the dogs did not witness the attack but saw his neighbor covered in blood on the back porch and called 911.

backyard (kprc)

The animal control report states officers learned there were three pit bulls: a black and white male Staffordshire Terrier named ‘Boosie,’ a white and brown female Staffordshire Terrier named ‘Sophie,’ and a white and brown Staffordshire Terrier named ‘Cleo.’

Garrett reportedly told the officer that ‘Cleo’ had recently had puppies, but he no longer had possession of them.

According to animal control, the three dogs have been euthanized.

In April, KPRC 2 filed an open records request and obtained a BARC Animal Control report, which indicates an officer was dispatched to the same house in October 2019 because a caller had reported that a tan pit bull chased her and tried to attack her.

READ: Houston woman killed by 3 pit bulls, one of them previously reported for aggression in 2019

Records show charges were filed because Garrett failed to provide a fenced enclosure to keep his dogs from accessing his neighbor’s yard, which resulted in Phillips’ death.

broken fence (kprc)

Charging documents also revealed that one day before the dog attack, Garrett was wanted and charged in connection with a murder from October 2024.

He has an extensive criminal history in Harris County dating back to 2005, according to records.


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