Three pit bulls dragged Rebecca Hatcher into a ditch and nearly killed her in Magnolia, Texas.
Owner Faces Felony
UPDATE 11/21/22: Last week, the owner of three pit bulls that nearly killed a woman in June was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony under the Texas felony dog attack law. Angela Nicole Leach, 34, of Magnolia, was arrested on November 14, 2022. She is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail under a $20,000 bond. The other owner of the dogs, Mitchell Weemes, was killed in an unrelated shooting during an argument at a gas station back in July.
In mid-June, Rebecca Hatcher was viciously attacked by the dogs while walking near her home in the 37000 block of Pine Bark in the Hazy Hollow Subdivision. Her neighbor, Tammy Remey, found her lying in a ditch nearly dead. "She had holes in her, like about this big in her legs,” Remey said at the time. “She picked up her head and all you could see was just blood everywhere. All over her.” Hatcher remained in the ICU at Herman Memorial hospital in The Woodlands for five weeks.
Hatcher’s sister-in-law, Victoria, praised the efforts law enforcement. She hopes that Hatcher is now eligible for the Texas Crime Victims’ Compensation fund. “Now if we can get Texas Crime Victims to help out Rebecca Hatcher with her million-dollar medical bills,” she wrote. “My sister-in-law was denied help by the Montgomery County Hospital District. She is unable to get medical insurance, apparently doesn’t qualify for DSSI,” and may never be able to physically work again.
07/30/22: Male Owner Shot and Killed
On Friday, July 15, 2022, the male owner of three pit bulls that attacked Rebecca Hatcher on June 20 in the Hazy Hollow Subdivision was shot and killed during a verbal altercation at Mike's Grocery Store #5 in the 30200 block of SH 249. Mitchell Allen Weemes, 24 of Magnolia, was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooter, Daniel David-Joseph Ryan III, 22, of Pinehurst, has been arrested and charged with murder. The motive of the fatal shooting is currently unknown.
A July 12 update on Hatcher's GoFundMe states that she is making progress, but her wounds have become infected. "She is still going into surgery every other day to have her serious wounds cleaned," states her brother, Chris Hatcher. She is also "starting to get weaned off her trache and with hopes should begin advanced speech therapy soon," he said. No one knows when she'll be able to come home, he said. Chris also stated that her wounds have a bacterial infection.
"Rebecca does have a bacterial infection. We had to wear gloves and protective gowns when we were with her." - Chris Hatcher
Since we published this post on June 30, Freddy Garcia, 71-years old, was killed by a pack of pit bull-mixes on July 18 while walking to a store in Fort Bend County, Texas. He was airlifted to Memorial Hermann hospital in downtown Houston, where he died. "He did nothing to provoke those animals," Sheriff Eric Fagan said. "The dogs just attacked him for no reason and for no provocation." Hatcher remains hospitalized at Memorial Hermann hospital in The Woodlands.
Also, since June 30, Michele Sheeks, 44-years old, died after being attacked by seven dogs while walking down a road on April 28 in Red Bay, Alabama. Sheeks was rushed to a trauma center with critical injuries, where she remained until her death on July 12. Sheeks was one of two victims. The same dogs killed an Alabama Public Health employee on April 29, one day after her attack. Two weeks before Sheeks died, bacterial and fungal infection had developed in her wounds.
06/30/22: Judge Orders Dogs Destroyed
Montgomery County, TX - One day after Nicolas Vasquez died of catastrophic injuries due to a violent pit bull mauling in northeast Harris County, a woman lies in similar circumstances in the adjacent county of Montgomery. Like Vasquez, who was walking down a street when three loose pit bull-mixes dragged him into a ditch and mauled him, the same thing happened to Rebecca Hatcher, who remains in the ICU at Memorial Hermann hospital after multiple surgeries.
Her brother, Chris Hatcher, organized a GoFundMe for her. "All we know at this time is that, on June 20, 2022, my sister was attacked somewhere in Magnolia by possibly 3-5 dogs, left in a ditch, and rushed to Memorial Herman in The Woodlands, where she is currently in ICU," he states. Hatcher sustained bites to her neck, back and extremities, including serious damage to her trachea. She has undergone multiple critical surgeries and blood transfusions while hospitalized.
Back in March, Kyleen Waltman, 38, was viciously attacked by two pit bull-mixes and a mixed-breed while walking down a road in Honea Path, South Carolina. Like Vasquez and Hatcher, the dogs pulled her into a ditch and inflicted catastrophic injuries. Vasquez had both legs below the knee amputated before dying and Waltman had both arms amputated up to the shoulder. Waltman remains alive, and "keeps getting denied for Medicaid and her disability," states her fundraiser.
The dogs attacked Hatcher in the 37000 block of Pine Bark in the Hazy Hollow Subdivision just after 10:30 pm. She had been walking home and was only about 100 feet from her house at the time. Tammy Remey, a neighbor, who is featured in the Montgomery County Police Reporter video, heard Hatcher screaming and ran outside. She got into her car and drove toward the screams. She found Hatcher in the ditch. The dogs were "attacking her, tearing her up," she said.
She called 911, who told her not to get out of her vehicle and that help would arrive soon. Remey then describes the scene in horrifying detail. "She had holes in her, like about this big in her legs," she said. "She picked up her head and all you could see was just blood everywhere. All over her. She was in a pink and white dress." At some point, Hatcher stopped screaming. Remey thought the dogs had killed her. Emergency responders transported her by ambulance to the hospital.
Remey is shaken in the video. Yet her commentary is candid and vivid. When she said, "She was in a pink and white dress," time stopped for us. When she said, "She walked by those dogs all the time," it was impossible for us to count how many times we have heard that phrase before, specifically about violent maulings by multiple pit bulls to passersby. Familiarity does not stop unpredictable pit bull violence when only one pit bull is involved, much less a group of them.
Remey remains in close contact with Hatcher's mother to see how she is doing. She's also in touch with the detective on the case and Montgomery County Animal Services, where the dogs are quarantined. While holding her baby boy in her arms, Remey showed the reporter the ditch the dogs dragged Hatcher into. "This is her hair," she points out to the reporter, who states "Oh my gosh!" This is where she was laying, she explained. "The dogs steadily ripping her," she said.
The three pit bulls that dragged Rebecca Hatcher into a ditch in Magnolia, nearly killing her.
The video was shot and uploaded on June 29. At that time, Chris Hatcher said his sister's condition was improving. She was able to write on a notepad and was able to move her legs, he said. Doctors said she could be hospitalized for another two weeks or longer. She still cannot breath on her own and is on a ventilator, Chris said. Hatcher has no insurance and is currently unemployed. "Anything you can donate is greatly appreciated," states the fundraiser.
Also on June 29, a hearing to determine the fate of the dogs was held in the Montgomery County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Matt Masden’s Courtroom. The owner of the dogs, Mitchell Weemes, attended the hearing. After listening to both sides, Judge Masden ordered the dogs destroyed. "Weemes broke down asking the Judge to see his dogs. Masden told Animal Control to give him 48 hours to do so before the dogs were destroyed," states the Police Reporter.1
It is unknown if criminal charges against Weemes are being considered. Weemes, who is seen in the video, told Judge Masden that he had paid a friend to watch his three dogs. The friend resided across the street from the witness. The rear of the house is fenced, but not the front. Weemes is seen with one of his pit bulls in two dark grainy photographs on his Facebook page. It's too bad the Police Reporter did not film the vicious dog hearing where Weemes "broke down" like a baby.
The owner of the pit bulls, Mitchell Weemes, seen with one of his dogs on his Facebook page.
Related articles:
06/28/22: 2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Dies After Amputations Due to Violent Dog Attack
03/24/22: Man Charged After Vicious Dog Attack Left Woman with Catastrophic Injuries
Thank God neighbor Tammy responded to Rebecca’s screams.
Animal Control should prepare posters and PSAs on TV and websites warning about marauding packs of pitbulls thruout the USA. Why not put up posters in an area where these attacks occur to warn others?
Notice these packs are killing those walking home. With gas prices so high and many who no longer have a car, there must be greater proactive protection by Animal Control and the Police.
An amputee biker uses a marina air horn to ward off attacking dogs. We should consider carrying air horns in our cars in case we are ever in a position to help someone ward off dog attack packs.
Good idea but dog owners still need to go to prison.
The Great Outdoors has been attacked by pitbulls and other dangerous dogs. Informed citizens realize they cannot go for a simple walk or bike ride without fearing for their lives. We will fight back.
No more free bites! Manslaughter charges in deaths caused by dogs. Bites and maulings to be handled as aggravated assault charges. Death of the dogs, and prison time and restitution by dog owners. You own a dog, you take full responsibility first time around.
Agreed
absolutely. an entirely legitimate response to what is going on.
Oh my golly not those sweet lovable pitbull attacking an innocent old lady that unheard of. Not this is like the hundreds of stories of pitbull attacking someone unprovoked they seriously harm you or killed people doing everyday stuff like walking dog sitting in a couch in the living room.
The most dangerous dogs might be the friendly pit bulls. If they have idiopathic rage syndrome there will be no warning of an imminent attack.
Thankfully the number of pitbulls in my area is not high. My dog was killed by a pitbull years ago. The pitbull was shot by.his owner. The injuries on my dog were incredibly severe. As a veterinarian I can tell you that no other breed causes those incredibly severe wounds. I’m scared to walk my GSD service dog due to pitbulls.
Rachel, I am praying for your safety.
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Rachel and Boni, I saw a film recently called “Megan Leavey.” Megan is a USMC w a GSD war dog in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Your local library may have it. Otherwise, you can request they purchase it. They might be more inclined knowing it’s a true story.
Thanks Nunzia, I will see if I can find it.
The trainer of The Littlest Hobo, learned to parachute a (GSD) dog from the armed forces who used them in WWII to warn of hidden enemies.
Bouviers were also used to patrol the beaches due to their fearlessness and woe betide any German forces who came across their packs. Yet, they were loyal to their trainer onto death.
Therein lies the difference. A pitbull is just as likely to maul the owner/trainer as it is, the enemy troops.
Security/War dogs cannot be unstable if they are to be useful. Pitbulls are genetically unstable.
Betting the owner will want to try to steal his pibbles back.
You could be correct.
The only penalty would likely be contempt of court.
He would need help getting the dogs out of state.
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And note how this piece of work broke down at the dangerous dog hearing. He’s obviously more concerned about the dogs than the woman those dogs nearly killed.
Yes. Noted. This man has zero empathy for anything beyond what’s his. This is the kind of guy who, in the olden days pre MADD, could mow down a whole family while under the influence and plead, “it was an accident” without any remorse.
The photo of the dog owner is so dark but aren’t his arms covered in tattoos? Turkey! Possibly a gangbanger whose pitbulls finally made him feel like a man.
Responsible pitbull owners properly control their dogs so that those who are killed or maimed by their dogs are family members and family friends. These folks are positive that their pitbulls are perfectly safe pets. The drug dealers, thieves and macho idiots are another class. They may use the dogs for alleged protection or to terrorize their neighbors. They have no money or concern of civil lawsuits. The stupid Hornishes belong in my first group. The Native Americans are killed by unowned dogs.
Finally I should list those pitbulls left at home while the owners are out of town so their pitbulls maul and kill pet sitters or they simply are squatters. Those dogs have kille and maimed many unsuspecting people.
The end result of all of this is unspeakable tragedy.
Responsible pit bull owners. An oxymoron if there ever was one.
This is the only sane decision. Vicious dogs cannot be left in the hands of people too irresponsible to keep them contained nor can their behavior be trained out of them.
Let’s not forget the Dec 2019 double mauling in Houston where two women were found in two separate attack sites, one lady already deceased. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/HPD-One-woman-killed-another-injured-in-14923730.php
Concerned Citizen, thanks for the heads-up on this double mauling. Here’s the DBO article for analysis. The comments to this 2019 article are outstanding. So is the link to graphic injuries by pitbulls.
https://blog.dogsbite.org/2019/12/woman-killed-another-injured-three-pit-bulls-north-houston.html
Don’t forget that pitbull owners are often crazy. Hornish has fought for years to keep her killer dog Dexter alive. She only owned the dog not more than four . months before the killing.
She really couldn’t have known the dog very well.t
Three and a half weeks later, on July 15, 2022 the pit bulls’ owner was shot and killed at a gas station mini mart after a verbal altercation with another man.
I live in this small town that is now overpopulating. I just wanted to point out that since 1983 we have had three separate Pit-Bull mauling fatality’s within 15 miles of my house. The other three were children. The first on record in 1983 happened in the very same neighborhood as this one, Hazy Hollow.
You can find all of them listed on this site and confirm with the mapping app. here as well. I don’t know if another rural jurisdiction can compare.
Thank you for this update about Rebecca Hatcher. I have been praying for her for some months and hoping to hear how she has been doing. I am not on social media generally so this is really helpful. I will keep rooting for her as her heartbreak and disappointment continues.