San Antonio Dog Owners Face Multiple Felony Charges After Dogs Kill Veteran
Pit bulls killed one person, hospitalized three others, in horrific pit bull mauling in San Antonio.
Judge Sentences Owners
UPDATE 09/20/24: On Friday, Judge Velia Meza sentenced the owners of two pit bulls that brutally killed a man and critically injured his wife in February of 2023. Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder, both 32, were each sentenced to lengthy prison terms in connection to the death of Ramon Najera, 81. Meza sentenced Moreno to 18 years of confinement and Schnieder to 15 years, calling the attack "an unspeakable horror that is going to resonate in our community for a very long time."
Leading up to the ruling, we published videos of the prosecution closing arguments, the testimony of a police officer at the scene, and the testimony of Ramon's widow, Janie Rajera, which occurred during the punishment phase. Moreno and Schnieder pleaded guilty in August, avoiding a trial. The defense argued the city of San Antonio was to blame for failing to process the dogs as "dangerous dogs" due to their repeated bite history, which would have led to them being euthanized before the fatal attack.
After the sentencing, Janie delivered a powerful victim impact statement. "You both took a big part of my life away," she said to the defendants while sobbing. "You took my better half away." She also addressed the role of the city. "Right now, there is somebody that should be sitting right there next to you guys," she said pointing at the defendants. "It should be the city. The city should be there sitting next to you guys, because they are guilty too." Janie has filed a federal lawsuit against San Antonio.
Bexar County prosecutor Raul Jordan and Janie Najera during the punishment phase.
09/09/24: Family Sues City in Federal Court
The family of Ramon Najera, who was killed by two vicious pit bulls on February 24, 2023 on Depla Street, is suing the city of San Antonio in federal court for damages arising from this "grievous and preventable tragedy." The lawsuit comes as the defendants, Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder, who each pleaded guilty to one felony count in August, are undergoing their punishment phase. We anticipate at least a 10-year sentence for each of these reckless, remorseless dog owners.
The federal lawsuit was filed on September 6, 2024 and demands a jury trial. "Despite repeated warnings, prior incidents of aggression, and clear evidence of the dogs’ dangerous propensities, the City of San Antonio deliberately decided to release the animals back into the community," states the lawsuit. The Complaint also alleges the city, in an unwritten policy, chose to "not invest resources in certain low-income, minority communities, such as where the dogs attacked" in each instance.
"This Complaint seeks redress for the negligence, constitutional misfeasance, and gross misconduct of the City of San Antonio, whose failure to act upon known threats and to protect its citizens directly resulted in the untimely and wrongful death of Mr. Najera. This Complaint alleges that the City of San Antonio’s actions, or lack thereof, constituted a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause ... Shockingly, this wasn't the only incident involving the dogs. Prior to the February 24, 2023, attack, the dogs were involved in at least three other attacks on people, with two of the three resulting in bite wounds ... The City did this in spite of their written regulations and in accordance with their unwritten policy to not invest resources in certain low-income, minority communities, such as where the dogs attacked in the prior incidents and in the current incident."
Watch Punishment Phase
The punishment phase is expected to last a week with 226th Judge Velia Meza presiding. Meza will announce sentencing on September 20. Thus far, multiple first responders, neighbors and the victim's wife, Janie Najera, who was also critically injured by the dogs, have testified. The defendants hope to reduce their sentences by shifting the blame onto the city of San Antonio for failing to process the dogs as "dangerous dogs" prior to the attack, which would have led to them being euthanized.
Related videos:
09/09/24: Day 1 of Punishment Phase in Deadly Dog Attack
09/10/24: Day 2 of Punishment Phase in Deadly Dog Attack
09/10/24: Police Testimony: "So Much Blood, You Could Taste it"
09/10/24: Widow of Man Killed in Dog Attack Testifies
09/11/24: Day 3 of Punishment Phase in Deadly Dog Attack
09/11/24: Deadly Dog Attack: Abilene Schnieder’s Police Interview
09/11/24: Defense Presents Closing Arguments in Fatal Dog Attack Case
09/11/24: State Presents Closing Arguments in Fatal Dog Attack Case
03/10/23: Third Criminal Arrest Made
A third criminal arrest has been made in connection to the February 24 multi-victim pit bull mauling that left one man dead, his wife with critical injuries and two other people with bite injuries. The arrest comes after San Antonio police began investigating alleged threats and intimidation against neighbors who witnessed the deadly dog attack and spoke to media members. Destiny Marie Cardona, 26, was arrested on March 9 for retaliation, a third-degree felony, according to court records.
According to the arrest warrant affidavit, Cardona is the sister of Abilene Schnieder, who co-owned the pit bulls with her husband, Christian Moreno. Both dog owners continue to be held in the Bexar County Jail; each have been charged with two felony counts. On March 3, Cardona went to her sister's home and saw a neighbor who had spoken to media members about the attack. Cardona yelled at the witness and threatened to kill the witness and their family member, the affidavit states.
In related news, a report from KABB shows that citations written by San Antonio Animal Care Services (ASC) have fallen dramatically since 2020. From 12,782 citations during the fiscal year of 2020 to 4,758 citations during the fiscal year of 2022, a 63% reduction. The fiscal year of 2020 comprised the first Covid year too, which ran from October of 2019 to September of 2020. Documents uncovered by KABB showed that it was a goal for the animal services department to issue fewer citations.
Issuing fewer and fewer citations and instead using the "education only" model for dog owners who fail to vaccinate, fail to keep their dogs from roaming at large and commit other violations, has long been part of the "no-kill" shelter model, whose primary goal is a 90% "save rate." Reducing impounds and citations decreases animal intake overall and decreases the number of owner-surrendered animals, whereby reducing euthanasia, even if the cost to public health and safety is high.
03/01/23: Wife Arrested as Co-Owner
As anticipated, after the wife of a man criminally charged for the February 24 fatal dog attack gave a 29 minute interview to local media outlets, police have charged her too. We stated earlier, “Abilene doesn’t understand that she can also be criminally charged. She’s a co-owner of these dogs that had two bites before the fatal dog mauling on Friday.” Abilene Schnieder now faces the same two felony charges as her husband, dangerous dog resulting in death and injury to an elderly person.
On Friday, Ramon Najera, Jr., 81, was mauled to death by the couple’s two pit bulls that had a history of escaping their property, biting people and aggressive acts. Three other victims were also injured in the devastating Friday attack, including Najera’s 74-year old wife, a relative and a firefighter. Abilene was previously arrested for theft on January 30. She posted a $3,000 bond and was released from jail that same day. Her husband, Christian Moreno, however, has an extensive criminal history.
According to a document released Monday, the San Antonio Police Department received 39 calls for service in a 14-month period beginning January 1, 2022, concerning Moreno’s residence. Only two of those calls were animal-related. The other calls to police included 10 complaints about fireworks, disturbances, Child Protection Services, four calls about a “wanted person,” five calls about an abandoned vehicle, two calls about loud music and one call about the sound of a gunshot.
The Moreno-Schnieder home was not exactly neighborhood friendly. Who is surprised the couple also owned dogs with a history of violence?
The couple previously lived in Medina County, Texas reports the San Antonio Express-News. Moreno’s criminal history in that county shows arrests dating back to 2009 for criminal trespassing, possession of a controlled substance, evading arrest or detention, hindering apprehension or prosecution and felony theft of property, reports the Express-News. In 2019 and 2021 Moreno was also arrested by San Antonio police in Bexar County several years before the February 24 fatal dog mauling.
More criminal charges may follow too. Najera’s wife apparently suffered grave injuries, which also falls under the Texas felony dog attack statute. A person does not need to die in order for prosecutors to pursue charges under the statute. Causing “serious bodily injury” is sufficient for a third-degree felony. The statue is defined as, “death and serious injuries inflicted by dog(s).” If death results, the offense becomes a second-degree felony. Both Schnieder and Moreno remain incarcerated.
An updated report from the Express-News states that animal control now believes that 13 complaints can be traced back to Moreno’s and Schnieder’s dogs since 2020. Regarding the two previous bites by the dogs, neither victim was informed by animal control of their right to file a Dangerous Dogs Affidavit, which forces the agency to start a dangerous dog investigation. Now a Texas state senator, José Menéndez, is drafting legislation to allow people to fill out these affidavits anonymously.
Other details include that a witness said the two pit bulls that brutally killed Najera “tore a dialysis shunt out of the man’s body” as they attacked him. “It was horrific. It was just blood all over the place,” he told the Express-News. Pit bulls tearing out a “dialysis shunt” has occurred in at least two other fatal dog attacks: the deaths of Michael Parks in 2017 and Ronnel Brown in 2012. Also, Najera’s wife Janie has been released from the hospital and is recovering at a family member’s home.
Before she was arrested, Abilene Schnieder admitted to owning the pit bulls that killed Ramon Najera Jr. in a TV interview. She also stated in December that she is Snow’s “grandma.”
02/24/23: Multi-Victim Pit Bull Attack
San Antonio, TX – Horrific footage captured by KSAT Friday show three firemen fending off multiple pit bulls in order to reach a dying victim. The violent dog attack occurred just before 2:00 pm in the 2800 block of Depla Street. When the San Antonio Fire Department arrived, they saw an 81-year old man being dragged down the sidewalk by one of the pit bulls involved in the multi-victim attack. His wife was also attacked by the dogs and remains in critical condition at University Hospital.
“Firefighters were very heroic in this instance. They were fighting off these pit bulls with pickaxes and pipe poles to try to get to the patients.”
“This is not something normal for us. We usually don’t show up and have to defend patients from animals or ourselves,” SAFD Chief Charles Hood said. One of the firefighters was bitten in the leg, but is okay. A third victim was bitten while trying to help the elderly couple that was being attacked. All three pedestrian victims were transported to University Hospital. “Horrific scene, horrific for the people who experienced it and horrific for our firefighters that were part of this,” Hood said.
The two pit bulls involved in the attack and a third pit bull belonging to the same household that was also unrestrained were confiscated by San Antonio Animal Care Services. Director Shannon Sims said the three dogs -- two females and one male -- were involved in “another” attack two years ago and previously impounded. “We could not move forward with a dangerous dog designation” at that time because a Dangerous Dog affidavit was not filed by a victim and witness, director Sims said.
There were also multiple calls in the past two years about the dogs being estray and neglected, Sims said. Media reports state that Sims described the 2021 attack as a “mild bite.” A commenter on the KSAT 12 Facebook post states there was another attack. “These are the pit bulls that just attacked my Dad in January. Pulled chunks from his arms and legs and left him out of work for weeks. They were ‘investigated’ and left there knowing they had just attacked a human," stated a female.
Footage captures horrific pit bull mauling in San Antonio that occurred on Friday. The two dogs involved, Snow and King, had recently been sterilized and had a history of biting people.
Owner Faces Multiple Felonies
Late Friday, the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) announced that the owner of the dog was arrested under the Texas felony dog attack statute. Christian Alexander Moreno, 31, faces one count of felony attack by dangerous dog causing death and one count of felony injury to an elderly person (the charges will likely increase). SAPD clarified that the 81-year old male and 74-year old female were a married couple who had just exited their vehicle when the dogs viciously attacked them.
Arrested - San Antonio Police DepartmentOn February 24, 2023 a couple, an 81 year old man and a 74 year old woman, went to the 2800 block of Depla Street to visit some friends. When they arrived and exited their vehicle, two American Staffordshire Terriers escaped their yard, which was next to the location the couple was visiting. The two dogs attacked the couple, causing visible dog bite injuries to both victims. Witnesses saw the attack and called police and EMS. San Antonio Fire Department EMS arrived to the location and saw the dogs still actively attacking the couple and attempted to intervene. During their efforts one of the EMS Captains was bit in his leg by one of the dogs. The male and female victims and the EMS Captain were all transported to a local hospital for their injuries. Despite efforts by SAFD EMS to save the male victim, he died as a result of the dog attacks. SAPD and City of San Antonio Animal Care Services arrived and began investigating the attack.
The suspect, 31 year old Christian Alexander Moreno, was later arrested by the SAPD Covert Unit and is facing a felony charge of Attack by Dangerous Dog Causes Death and a felony charge of Injury to an Elderly.
WOAI identified the man who died as 81-year-old Ramon Najera. His wife remains hospitalized. The couple had driven to the area to visit a relative’s home. As soon as they stepped out of their vehicle, the dogs attacked. When firefighters arrived, the attack was still happening. "As they rounded the corner, they could see a gentleman being dragged by a dog," San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said. "They could see him completely bloodied before they got off of the fire truck.”
WOIA also confirmed the “January 2023” bite case, presumably related to the victim’s daughter, who stated in a comment Friday: “These are the pit bulls that just attacked my Dad in January. Pulled chunks from his arms and legs and left him out of work for weeks.” Thus far, there are two confirmed previous bites by the pair of pit bulls that killed Najera and critically injured his wife. The city of San Antonio continues to review the related 911 and 311 call history from this neighborhood.
San Antonio Animal Care Services and San Antonio Police released a statement Friday, based on the preliminary investigation, which clarified the number of victims and previous calls for service in the area. Four people were attacked Friday: The elderly couple, one of the couple’s relatives, and the SAFD captain. All four were transported to University Hospital, where Najera died of his injuries. The SA CORE team was also deployed to provide counseling and support to neighborhood residents.
On November 6, 2022, The San Antonio Police Department responded to a dog related call relating to this property. An officer responded on the scene and spoke to the owner of the dogs. The officer told the owner that the dogs must be kept in the yard.
At least two of the dogs have been involved in a pair of confirmed bite cases in the past including one in January of this year and another in September of 2021. The injuries were moderate or mild and the dogs successfully completed the State required quarantine before their owners reclaimed them. Individuals involved declined to file a dangerous dog designation. A dangerous dog designation requires owners to keep the dogs in a secure enclosure, purchase a $100,000 liability insurance policy, special warning signage, be muzzled when outside, be spay/neutered and be subject to annual inspections.
Multiple charges are pending in connection to today’s incident and Animal Care Services is working with SAPD on the investigation.
The City of San Antonio is reviewing any related 911 and 311 call history associated with this area.
Full Statement: Animal Care Services and Police Department investigating dog attack
Christian Moreno, 31, faces multiple felonies after the horrific pit bull mauling in San Antonio.
The Dogs Were Sterilized
Two days after the vicious multi-victim attack in San Antonio that left one man dead, the wife of the dogs’ owner -- her husband Christian Moreno continues to sit in jail, facing two felony counts in connection to the mauling death of 81-year old Ramon Najera -- claims she was “traumatized” by the attack and feels remorse. Abilene Moreno also tried to blame the violent behavior of the dogs that she co-owned with Christian as due to recent spay/neuter operations at the request of animal control.
Abilene doesn’t understand that she can also be charged. She’s a co-owner of these dogs that had two bites before the fatal attack on Friday.
The most recent of the two previous biting incidents occurred in January 2023. After that incident, San Antonio Animal Services required the couple to spay and neuter their dogs and keep them in a body harness and tethered in the yard. Abilene claimed the “dogs snapped, they snapped on all of us” after being sterilized. She stated that in the days leading up to the fatal attack, the family had talked about “giving [the dogs] back to ACS.” The dogs are just “too much for us,” Abilene said.
The dogs were neither in body harnesses or tethered in the yard at the time of the fatal mauling. Despite two previous bites, Abilene said her pit bulls “were not aggressive dogs. They weren’t mean,” she told KABB. “We did not raise them to be mean. My husband isn’t this monster that everyone is making him out to be.” Notably, Christian was released from prison for an unrelated offense on February 2. Just weeks before the multi-victim dog attack that resulted in the death of Najera.
“We never knew that neutering them would do this to them,” Abilene said, referring to the dogs’ violent behavior, in the extended KAAB interview.
“We only spayed them because ACS told us … I had asked the lady at the desk, ‘What more do I have to do to prevent my dogs from getting out and hurting somebody?’” Abilene said they told her: ‘Spay them, get them neutered. Buy them body harnesses. Make sure your gates stay secured. Make sure there’s no holes in the gate, where they can get out from. And, that was basically it,” Abilene said. But spaying and neutering does not eliminate “learned” behaviors or breed-specific behaviors.
Neutering bully breeds -- between the optimal age of 6-9 months old -- can “reduce the risk of a male dog escaping if it smells that a female is in heat somewhere. Spaying reduces the risk that a female of this class of dogs will attract other dogs when she goes into heat, which she may then attack. Spay/neuter is also crucial to reducing the numbers of these dogs that are being put down in shelters because they are too dangerous or because nobody wants them.” - Alexandra Semyonova
The female attacker, Snow, had a litter of 9 pit bull puppies in December 2022. The progeny of these fatal attackers will be recycled back into the San Antonio, Bexar County community.
Recent San Antonio 311 service requests include 9 calls near the dog owner's home on Depla Street for animal control violations between April 5, 2020 and February 22, 2023. The multi-victim horrific pit bull mauling that occurred on February 24, 2023 has not yet been logged.
View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: Texas Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.Related articles:
10/01/24: San Antonio Animal Control Testimony During Punishment Phase of Fatal Dog Attack Trial
09/20/24: Prosecution Closing Arguments In Fatal Dog Attack Trial; Judge Issues Sentences
09/19/24: San Antonio Police Officer Testifies In Punishment Phase of Fatal Dog Attack Trial
09/18/24: Janie Najera, the Wife of Victim, Testifies In Punishment Phase of Fatal Dog Attack Trial
Law enforcement departments across the United States should release consistent "baseline" information to the media and the public after each fatal dog mauling, including these items.
This is very sad and was 100% preventable. How horrible these elderly people had to experience this. I hope the owner is charged. I find it interesting that the owner’s third dog which was not involved in this attack was also taken by Animal Control and will be euthanized. I assume it was involved in prior attacks.
An older couple walking after lunch in their neighborhood. The man born in the 1940’s during World War II. He and his wife grew up in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Their youth was a time of little fear of dogs. They were likely not aware of how dangerous it has become to take a walk, ride a bike or chat w neighbors. The proliferation of pitbulls in America has changed our country…but not enough citizens are aware of it.
What a privilege it has been to have enjoyed being outdoors all these years without wariness of dogs! What a sad thing that our children and their children and their grandchildren will miss the thrill of exploring their neighborhood…and our country…safely!
The couple parked near a relative’s home and had just a short distance to walk from their car, it turns out.
The dogs may have broken through a gate but why were they loose in their yard? Especially when it appears no one may have been home to supervise them?
Supervising these breeds does not work either. These breeds should be ban like they are in many places. They even kill their owners at times.
You are so right but now days with all these vicious breeds being allowed, it is very dangerous and owners do not care. This owner like many others deserves a life sentence! God bless that poor man, lady and injured others.
Dog owners need to be held criminally responsible for the actions of their dogs. A bit = an assault. A killing = a murder.
Good local news report. Video taken by a neighbor.
https://youtu.be/_2uj8NyqxEA
Yes! I agree and be given a life sentence.
I have been reading numerous news reports on the incident and I came across something interesting I have never heard of before it’s a site and map of recent or open cases on 311 calls and u can check just aggressive or dangerous animal category I wonder how many cities provide current pub info such as this
https://311.sanantonio.gov/recent-requests
Oh hey, another day, another pit bull killing someone. Is it bad that I wasn’t even that surprised?
The white dog looks as if she has had puppies. So, there is progeny out there somewhere from this mankiller. They always claim that aggressive pit bulls are culled and not bred. Another lie.
The owners of these mutts were probably breeders. One male + two females = puppies.
Remember that few pitbulls are spayed/neutered. Also pitbull owners are sooooo careful to breed good quality pitbulls.
What does that mean?
One pair of ovaries plus one pair of testicles produce baby killer mutts. These mutts have spread throughout Planet Earth and have left dead bodies around.
I wish it would stop.
maybe they should have tried a fire extinguisher. Startling they cant be chased off by full grown men wielding pick axes
I noticed in the videos that the animal control van has a big picture of a pit bull on it. I suppose that’s appropriate – animal control has basically become the “pit bull incident response unit” in many American cities.
This is a horrific attack. The owner of these dogs needs to go to jail. He knew these dogs were dangerous and let them roam around anyway.
The van says “Be responsible” and shows a 10 foot high pic of a pit.
They are responsible for more deaths than all other dogs combined. I hope that isn’t what they had in mind.
Probably not, but the sign should say: “Be responsible: Don’t own or breed fighting-breed dogs!”
I hope the neighbors shame the prior bite victims for their failure or refusal to file a dangerous dog designation. They could have helped prevent this death.
(“The injuries were moderate or mild and the dogs successfully completed the State required quarantine before their owners reclaimed them. Individuals involved declined to file a dangerous dog designation.”)
I think a more helpful approach would be that all medical personnel are required to report dog bites as they are required to report gun shot wounds, stabbings and child/elder abuse.
Considering the amount of pitbull attacks on elders and children–this would seem to me to be the fairest way to go about it with less stress for the already traumatised victims.
Yes, absolutely. In my experience, not in Texas, animal control and police actively avoid informing you of your options in a dog attack.
And I’ve seen several dog attack stories online where the police/animal control responded very negatively to victims, up to providing inaccurate information about their rights. Remember the San Antonio Pets Alive! adoption event debacle in Texas, where a cop is videotaped scolding parents whose child was attacked by a rescue dog? There needs to be a systemic rethink of the seriousness of aggressive dogs, or we’re just leaving every at-large, menacing dog event up to the discretion of city and county workers who know that if they take that dog back to the shelter, they’re in trouble for hurting the shelter’s live release numbers.
Also, every jurisdiction seems to have different laws so how are victims supposed to know which ones apply?
Most cities/towns give out free pamphlets on the rights of tenants, civil rights, domestic assault victims etc in various places such as city halls, hospitals, related service agencies.
Maybe it’s time to get pamphlets on the rights of dog bite victims placed around hospitals, civic centres, childcare agencies, senior’s centres, etc. because it’s clear, the police, dog pounds and animal control aren’t providing it.
Great idea, Boni!
One way it could be implemented is through a prototype booklet w basic specific information. Room would be left to insert specific laws in layman terms and statute ID data. That customization would be completed by the area of jurisdiction.
On the cover of the booklet would be the specific city or county or state name plus the date. Perhaps part of the general data in the prototype could include that pitbull owners die from an attack from their own dogs at a rate of 11 times higher than from other dogs, probably higher since that was last determined. A few more statistics about ER visits daily nationwide and the high cost of medical attention. But stress how important it is to see a doctor right away due to infection, which can cause loss of limbs.
Perhaps the prototype could be added to the Dogsbite website as a PDF. But even better would be a desktop publishing style to make it eye-catching. Dogsbite is so low staffed that I hope it is not an imposition to even suggest this.
Perhaps attorney Kenneth Phillips already has this in a booklet form. It would be great if there were several project managers so the project stays at full strength if someone has to step down. And a tech lead for government agencies or whomever would use the prototype who might need some publishing computer help. This would relieve DBO to continue to focus on reporting, analysis, and statistical computations.
Then publicity to get the word out this is available. After the prototype is available, a test run if one attorney subscriber to DBO commits to downloading the prototype to prepare a flyer or booklet for his/her jurisdiction w all the specific data to help. Perhaps DBO subscribers could distribute locally. If this data is made available, citizens would be given foresight.
Just a few quick thoughts.
Isn’t this atypical of sterilization? I thought the procedure reduced aggressiveness.
No, sterilization does not reduce aggression.
What it can do, is if males are neutered young, they can be less of a threat to each other if two male neutered dogs, meet as they smell less “male”. Thus also, less dangerous to those handling the animals who are less willing to fight.
For pitbulls I’d even chuck that idea in the bin because they’re bred to be dog aggressive.
Neutering or spaying *after* the dogs are aggressive doesn’t lessen aggression and there’s been a few trainers who have stated that it may actually increase the incidents.
The only thing sterilization does for pitbulls, is prevent them from producing more pitbulls. That is a very good thing, and for that reason alone sterilization should be highly encouraged. But people should be aware that sterilization isn’t going to change the innate aggressiveness of pitbulls.
It has already been removed. I am guessing it shows the actual attack.
What I found odd in the video link I posted earlier was the reporter said Mr. Najera’ body was on the other side of the black bin. It seems like there is hardly any room beyond that.
I found the video on Instagram via ppv_tahoe on Twitter. The man was still alive as a lady behind the camera kept filming instead of doing anything to help. The white dog was covered in blood and barking as the black dog attacked.
Not that I can really blame her. Most people would find the situation inconceivable and wouldn’t know what to do, and people who do try to help are often badly injured. Maybe she tried to do something after she stopped filming.
The fact is that two people were attacked and they were defenseless against these monstrous dogs. The attack should have been prevented.
Rebecca, thank you. I never went to bed last night and went to my favorite grocery store early this morning. A pitbull barreled along half the length of the storefront…unleashed. For a second, I recognized how its joyous galloping with its tongue hanging out and throwing its head back in exhilaration would endear pitbulls to some. It may be a new rescue and was enjoying its freedom to run. But it is too big a trade-off to overlook the devastation in their wake.
A tiny woman came walking far behind. I shouted to her to please leash her dog. She said OK and did so just as she was going into the store. All very casually and entitled, even though there were several indicators that she is a new visitor here.
It’s the second time a pitbull has been brought into the large grocery store. Although I called the shift manager to complain, I feel down about this creepy happening, especially today as I recall how there have been 4 fatalities in the USA in February and the month is not even over yet. It seems like we have been speeding along from one death to another, not to mention all the attacks with severe consequences. Plus I feel sad about Stanley Hartt’s memorial service in Tucumcari tomorrow. I guess some sleep will help lift my spirits. Oh, that this nightmare would end for America…and for the world.
Here is a Reddit post with the video: https://www.reddit.com/r/BanPitBulls/comments/11bs6mz/warning_nsfl_tw_graphic_witness_video_of_the/
It is extremely graphic. We grow and slaughter most of our own meat. I have had animals attacked by pit bulls and had to treat or euthanize or bury the result. I could not watch this entire video. Every pit owner should be forced to watch this. I am devastated.
I watched the news video and I noticed they would not say the type of dogs that did the killing and mauling.
Because we wouldn’t want to contribute to pit bull adoption hesitancy, now would we?
I mean, the local shelter is probably stuffed to the gills with, oh, I dunno, poodles, and you just have to adopt one or two! If you don’t, then you are a terrible person!
If there was no video, it might never be revealed. Even if it’s part pitbull, it’s a lethal dog. This is where the nutters get off saying, That’s NOT a pitbull. Followed up with their gaslighting comments that: there’s no such thing as a pitbull. BTW, a little girl in Florida was severely mauled by a pitbull this week, too. The owner of the mutant told the girl’s mother it was safe to pet it. After the attack, the coward took off with the dog, leaving a bleeding, traumatized child behind. Fortunately, the police caught her. This is the cowardice and heartless nature of these owners. Makes me sick.
Anyone who owns a pit bull knows the violence that the dog is capable of. I will never believe otherwise. They know. Shelters know. Vets know. Dog sitters and walkers know. They all breath a collective sigh of relief when these dogs DO act like typical good natured dogs. All this killing and maiming is on the owners and those who support them. (I have actually heard a VET say that “pit bulls make good pets.”) There should be ZERO tolerance for a pit bull attack. ZERO. One attack, one bite, even one nip and the dog is DONE.
*breathe
This is a link to a story that could have ended with this little girl’s death. This interview with her dad is heartbreaking. Watch the coward owner walk off with her pitbull. Despicable!
https://www.kalb.com/video/2023/02/13/graphic-girl-5-recovering-vicious-dog-attack-fla-park/
Today, Sunday, the new story in an interview is 180 degrees, Moreno’s wife saying her husband wanted to take them back to Animal Control.
The Morenos had plenty of time to return the pitbulls in the years when their bites were exposed.
From what is stated, taking the dogs back to Animal Control implies to me that they originally came from Animal Control. So does not that Animal Control sterilize dogs before adopting them. If so, they didn’t come from Animal Control.
Note that most pitbulls that bite people are intact since few pitbull owners have their dogs sterilized. Most of the ones that are spayed/neutered seem to come from shelters.
Pitbull owners seem to try to escape neighbor complaints by moving to another area. It has caused death in at least two recent cases.
Silvia Paola Hernadez, videographer and next-door neighbor of the Morenos in San Antonio, Texas, tells of her neighbors moving 2 years ago to their current address. They brought their pitbulls and created chaos in their neighborhood with attacks by their pitbulls.
The same scenario as in Calgary, Alberta Province, Canada, causing the mauling murder of “Rusty” Betty Ann Williams. The pitbulls of Denis Bagaric and Talyn Calkins were brought w them when they moved next door to Rusty Williams only 3 months earlier. A former neighbor of Bagaric and girlfriend Calkins recalled to an interviewer that they were “horrid, horrid” neighbors, with the gate being left open so the pitbulls were loose.
I read that the litter of puppies owned by the Morenos were taken by Animal Services. Does anyone remember that and whether that will include their being put down.
Here is a new link to the video **Warning** graphic content:
https://www.reddit.com/r/BanPitBulls/comments/11d0vc0/warning_nsfl_tw_graphic_witness_video_of_the/
These links are also provided:
Link to original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/BanPitBulls/comments/11b5j4y/deadly_dog_attack_on_westside_leads_to_one_dead/
Owners posting photos of their dogs: https://www.reddit.com/r/BanPitBulls/comments/11bd43b/these_are_the_pit_bulls_involved_in_the_fatal/
Video of a citizen expressing their concerns at a city council meeting in August 2022 about the out of control dangerous and stray dog problem in San Antonio https://www.reddit.com/r/BanPitBulls/comments/11cxbcj/a_san_antonio_resident_asked_about_the_dangerous/
More posts/photos of the dogs, owner calling them her other kids: https://www.reddit.com/r/BanPitBulls/comments/11dgz7m/pit_owner_frequently_posted_how_their_dogs_were/
50
Wife who owned the killers on camera making excuses.
https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/dog-owner-of-deadly-attack-speaks-out
The same excuse was used after the 2011 Michael Cook mauling here in Tucson. Do a search, it was covered on this site.
It has long been said by animal behaviorists that spaying/neutering can make dogs more aggressive. In fact, they have stated that aggressive bitches should not be spayed, as spaying will make them more aggressive.
Aggression is not very simple. The GSD I keep with me is not aggressive. His littermate sister is great with people but very aggressive with dogs. She badly damaged an ear on an intact male.
Why?
Another great read by Mike Masterson about this attack. He’s one of a few who has the courage to shine a light on the travesty of bloodsport dogs.
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/feb/28/unrestrained-dogs/
Excellent quick-read on why an affidavit was required for previous bites by Moreno’s dogs.
https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/public-safety/dogs-involved-in-deadly-mauling-didnt-have-affidavits-previous-attacks-acs/273-f5e1a323-44a7-4648-98b7-fafbad95117b
There really needs to be a law stating that if your dog bites someone off of your property unleashed it gets put down.
If you have no control of your dog and it is a biter it needs put down,
I realize a few “mostly harmless” dogs could get caught up in this.
If you don’t want your dog put down, keep it locked up.
How many cases have there been of escaped dogs biting someone only to go on to kill someone else?
It isn’t exactly a rare occurrence
I know strictly enforced BSL would do more good.
However in areas with BSL the people in charge of enforcement wont obey the rules. Look at the dogs available at the Miami Dade County shelter for proof.
Maybe some breed agnostic laws concentrating on the worst of the worst would have a chance of actually being enforced and slowing the death toll.
It enrages me that people wanted these dogs to go to another home. These pitbull cult worshippers came out of the woodwork and tried to demand that the dogs be given another chance. I don’t think so, pit loving nutbags. There are so many friendly dogs needing a home.
Here is the video of this poor man being mauled:
https://www.reddit.com/r/BanPitBulls/comments/11d0vc0/warning_nsfl_tw_graphic_witness_video_of_the/
I’ve posted it before, but it is so devastatingly important that I want to post it again. It’s extremely graphic, horrible, heartbreaking. But, more importantly, it’s the truth. Anyone you know who is a pit apologist, anyone you know who thinks these creatures should be rehomed, NEEDS to see this.
Also, a shoutout to the mods at r/banpitbulls on Reddit and especially u/emilee_spinach. They have worked hard to keep this video up.
Pit advocates have been trying to silence them on Reddit and they keep fighting the good fight to advocate for victims and inform people of the dangers that are inherent in pit bulls. It is rough over there. The fight never ends.
Farmer Jayne, thanks for posting this again. Ghastly and instructive.
Now that I finally joined Reddit, w an idiotic avatar, I can hopefully quickly check out the other url’s you provided.
I’m on the reddit group for banning pit bulls also, lots of information and like-minded people. My avatar is a picture of my youngest Frenchie.
Responsible Animal Control Services do not shelter puppies of killer dogs.
Killer Snow had a litter of 9 puppies.
Both genetics and animal behavior imprinting have rendered the puppies dangerous.
OMG. The dog owners have a GoFundMe. I don’t want to link to it, but here is her take on why people should donate:
Hey guys, it’s Abby aka Christians wife! Anyone and everyone that knows Christian, knows that he isn’t this person that everyone is making him out to be. The attack from our dogs was unexpected and not anything we caused. Who would have known that our dogs would ever turn? Anyone that knew Snow and King, knew that they wouldn’t do anything like that ever to anyone. Tbh, I know some people see this as our fault, and some don’t! But the people that know us, and really know us, know that Christian isn’t this guy to make his dogs aggressive. He’s not one to hurt anyone, or wish bad upon anyone. He loves his kids, he loves his family, and everything he does, he does it for his family. He’s not one to say no to anyone, if you need something and Christian had it, even if he didn’t have it, he would make a way for you to get it! He’s a man who hustles for his, does what he needs for his family, and always puts everyone’s needs and wants first. I can’t do this alone, he’s the bread winner, he’s the one who supports our family. Without him being out in the free, we can’t get his bond or get the bills paid. The last thing we want to do is sell our home to get him out. But we will do what we need to, to make sure he’s out. I’m just asking if you’ll can find it in your hearts and just remember the real Christian, the Christian that is your friend, your homeboy, your cousin, your brother, your nephew, your son, your grandson, your neighbor, your “other dad,” your tio, even your brother in law. If we can all get just this amount, I can get him out, and we can move on with our lives and deal with the rest when it comes. Please, we all know he would be very great ful and thankful to whoever donates, and helps us out by getting his bond money together. All we ask is to really open up your mind and hearts, and remember the Chris that we all know, and know that he’s innocent, and didn’t do anything to cause this tragic accident that happened. We have respected the family and given them their space and their time, but I wouldn’t apologize to them yet because that’s something Christian and I along with our kids need to do together as a family, since they were “our” dogs. Thank you to everyone who helps, and it will be greatly appreciated in getting him out. Because we all know Christian, and jail isn’t where he belongs. We can’t control what our animals do, we weren’t even home! Who would have known that our dogs that we raised since they were only weeks old, would do something so horrible and something that would lead us down the ugly path we are on now. Thank you, from me (Abby) and his kids (Sky, Star, Jr, Christal Moreno) we greatly appreciate you’ll! Thank you.
That’s just repulsive. I can’t believe this woman and I’m so glad she’s been arrested.
$90. The goal is $6000. It’s been up for two days, so, not gaining a lot of traction.
Interesting how Mrs. Moreno wears a baseball jersey lately compared to an earlier look in their social media photos. I am thinking of the picture of Mrs. Moreno trying to look like a vixen while Mr. Moreno looks as though he were caught on the way to the potty. (Animals 24-7)
I am a bit uncomfortable w my description. Yet the Morenos’ pitbulls are seen on film shredding Mr. Najera’s clothes as they take his life. Plus the March 1 update here on the extensive police record of the Morenos in the last 14 months in San Antonio shows they have required a visit about every 10 days.
Bravo for their neighbors for taking a strong stand!
Imagine if these dog owners HAD turned the dogs over to animal control before this attack happened, as the wife claims they were considering. Can you picture the taglines for the dogs under their tutu and flower crown pictures? The first-person descriptions from the dogs’ points of view?
“My name is Snow and I am looking for my fur-ever home! My owners gave up on me and I don’t understand why… I’ve always been a good girl. I’m a Lab mix with lots of love to give to your family!”
“I’m King and I’m a true Heinz 57 mix but with so much to offer! I don’t know why my owners brought me here but it’s not my fault. I love visiting neighbors and spreading love. I’m a happy, good boy… just check out my smile! Are you ready for a handsome new King for your home?”
🤮
With that huge pit emblazened on that animal control truck, tell me this isn’t EXACTLY what they would do in advertising these two dogs!
But the owners didn’t take them to AC to terrorize some other neighborhood on some other day. They were right there in their familiar territory just as this elderly couple went for a stroll. What a waste of a precious life for the gentleman and the end of companionship for the now-widow. All because these dog owners thought it was their right to own a certain breed of dog. Our rights end when they begin to infringe on someone else’s. And I would say that previous bites, frequent “escapes” and neighborhood complaints make it pretty clear that others’ rights were being infringed upon long before these dogs followed their breed instincts to attack and kill.
Wow every person that doesn’t hate pitbulls and similar needs to be made to watch this several times
I hear ppl often talk about how “oh that dog isn’t about to attack or its not aggressive or vicious because look it’s shaking its tail its wanting to play”
Take a look at that blood soaked white 1 yeah
Most videos I’ve ever seen of pitbull attacking they are almost always wagging their tails
Nunzia, you mentioned Animals 24-7. They have some good images for this case (as always). The fact that Christan would post that photo of himself wearing that low-class graphic t-shirt on Facebook says something about his character, in my opinion.
I found his wife’s fundraiser and it’s still at $90. She isn’t bad at media spin, but it seems like most people are seeing through her slick stories. She seems to use her children as a shield to try to portray herself and her husband as wholesome family people. Did she have her daughter’s wellbeing in mind when she had her pose through that shameful media interview she gave? The one where she said she’s sorry but it definitely wasn’t Christian’s fault (the one she gave shortly before she, too was arrested).
To all Fire Departments, Police Departments and Animal Control services:
Fire departments should reconsider appointing a Designated Firearms Responder for each fire truck. A person w previous firearms experience who continues to hone his/her skills on the firing range. Someone who has seen vicious dogs and understands they will eat a victim alive within minutes.
Firefighters must be able to protect themselves and others from pitbulls. The FF on top of the red car in the Moreno case was smart. The bloody Snow would have been an easy target. There should be no compunction not to shoot an animal attacking a human being. If one can safely do so.
In all fire stations and police departments across America, training courses must be required on handling vicious dogs. Certification should be required for those dealing w the attack regardless whether Animal Control arrives.
Slowness or “reluctance to kill an innocent animal” should be dispelled to accomplish the first responders’ greatest mission: To remove the threat immediately and protect the public.
This goes for all police, fire and animal control responders who are foolish enough to have their own pitbulls and dangerous dogs. Perhaps they are unaware of the couple, both first responders, whose rottweilers mauled to death their own baby while one parent stepped outdoors for a few moments.
Fire fighters can use the hose or a fire extinguisher to get the dogs back, I’ve seen both used in videos where pit bulls were loose and repeatedly returning to victims. There’s no way they’d have actually struck the dogs with the ax or pipe while being filmed, can you imagine the public outcry? It was surely extremely traumatizing to try to get those dogs away while atempting to render aid, in human involved cases first responders aren’t allowed to approach victims until the human attacker is rendered incapable of attack. Open the gated yard and blast those horrible animals back in.
Keepin’ it classy over there in Texas…
San Antonio newscast on March 7:
“In a two-year span, 112 calls were made to the police about something going on at the home in the 2800 block of Depla St.”
So this update tells us the San Antonio Police Department was called to the Moreno house at least once a week for 2 years. A huge amount of resources that San Antonio could ill afford!
https://www.ksat.com/video/news/2023/03/07/sapd-called-more-than-100-times-in-2-years-to-home-where-dogs-were-involved-in-fatal-attack/
It would appear that there were failures in every single aspect of this case. The end result is a dead senior and his wife severely injured. I hope the family has a good lawyer. Clearly, this was completely preventable. Thanks, as always, for the incisive reporting.
Clarification: Meant to say, I hope the family of the deceased man and his wife have a good lawyer to sue the city and all who failed to do their jobs.
Other potential felonies: Retaliation and threats made to the neighbors of the Morenos.
Here’s the news about other potential felonies:
https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/dog-attack-san-antonio-threats-17829493.php
San Antonio is making changes to bring Dangerous Dog owners in compliance with Texas state law. They include making affidavits easier to file for investigations to begin.
https://foxsanantonio.com/news/local/city-more-than-half-of-dangerous-dog-owners-arent-in-compliance-dog-attack-san-antonio-texas-pit-bull-insurance-animal-care-services-affidavits
The owner’s young daughter hitches up her shirt on camera so we can see the tattoo on her midriff.
https://foxsanantonio.com/newsletter-daily/dog-owner-of-deadly-attack-speaks-out
Update June 19, 2023:
Texas Governor Abbott vetoes dangerous dog bill following mauling death of elderly San Antonio man
https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/governor-abbott-vetoes-dangerous-dog-bill-following-san-antonio-mauling-death
Very disappointing! This is the case where first-responder firemen tried to prevent Mr. Najera’s grisly death after the SAPD answered over 100 complaints about the pitbull owners family.
Yep I came here to post this I am disgusted with gov abbott
What could be a ligitament reason for him to vetoe this bill?
Some ppl have brass cahones
Greg abbott has marshmallow cahones
Not passing THIS bill is what makes you disgusted with Abbott?
Im disgusted with him about other things also but i didnt want to go on a political rant on this site because it would be off topic if it didnt relate to dog laws
Also the bill was passed and done bipartisan so why the f*** did he veto it that is unbelievable just absolute idk makes me speechless because there are SOOO many things wrong with that on many different levels
I didn’t watch the female owner’s long interview as nothing she could say would convince me that she wasn’t at fault. However, you’d think that she’d have the self awareness to remove the Santa Muerte figure hanging in the garage before conducting a new interview. As a reporter, I’d have to ask about it.
This post has been updated to show the federal lawsuit filed against the city of San Antonio, as well as the punishment phase of the criminal trial (the dog owner’s pleaded guilty last month). Prosecutors gave closing arguments today — we encourage you to watch that 20 minute video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv37zx15rac
Thank you for the updates and videos Colleen Lynn. Watching the court case is riveting. “Conscious indifference” of the welfare of all of their neighbors hits it on the head. So often, the owner’s of the perpetrators are breeding puppies. Anything for profit.
I hope the judge has the will to give these two horrible humans the maximum of 20 years. I hold my breath and hope.