Janie Najera, 75, testifies about the pit bulls that killed her husband on February 24, 2023.
Widow Testifies
San Antonio, TX - On February 24, 2023, Ramon Najera, 81, was brutally killed by two pit bulls in front of his 75-year old wife, Janie Najera, in the 2800 block of Depla Street. One of the dogs tore a dialysis shunt out of Ramon's arm. "There was blood all over the place," one witness said. When San Antonio firefighters arrived, they fought off the pit bulls with pickaxes and pipe poles. Both dog owners pleaded guilty to one felony count in August. Last week, the punishment phase of the trial was held.
Judge Velia Meza will announce sentencing on September 20. Leading up to this, we are running several videos. The first is the testimony of Ramon's widow, Janie, who suffered critical injuries in the attack. The couple had been married for 45 years. Ramon was Air Force veteran, who served 21 years. At the 11:50 mark, Janie testifies about the events that day and when she was told that her husband had died. The camera also shows the dog owners in the courtroom, mainly Abilene Schnieder.
After her testimony, Janie gave an exclusive interview with KSAT (see the long version too). She describes the moment the white pit bull, "the one that pulled the dialysis line out," walked away from her and attacked her husband. "I could hear my husband screaming," she said. "I am thankful that the fire department got there. My husband is my hero because he saved my life. But the fire department, they are my heroes too. If they had not gotten there, I think the dogs would have finished me off too."
Judge Meza can sentence each defendant, Christian Moreno and Schnieder, up to 20 years in prison. Since the passage of the Texas felony dog attack law in 2007, we do not believe any dog owner has ever been sentenced the maximum. Extenuating circumstances include the judge weighing the defense's argument that the city of San Antonio, who had returned the dogs to the owners on three previous occasions after three previous bites before the fatal attack, played any role in his death.
Janie Najera testifies during the punishment phase of the San Antonio fatal pit bull attack trial.
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
09/09/24: Federal Civil Lawsuit Filed Against City: Najera et al v. City of San Antonio et al
I truly feel sorry for her.I hope she get justice for him.I can’t imagine her pain and suffering that she have to witness his brutal death done by that beast of a dog and she was helpless.but what will be done by laws nothing there was a recent story where I think it was a pitbull who attack a 10 year old boy and his father the dog attack a three year old the previous day.
It’s too terrible, I can’t watch. I hope both of those scumbags will get some prison time. A lifetime ban on owning dogs would be an excellent outcome.
They were (are?) pitbull breeders, still owned multiple dogs after the two killers were put down.
And, let me guess, their neighbors suffered from the same sleep deprivation that I am right now. Barked out of yet another sound sleep, I was.
@YQN, I can so relate, I have 7 dogs, 4 owners on one side of our house. Everywhere I’ve lived there’s been at least one barking dog. When my husband retires, we are buying property with as much land as we can afford, far from any neighbors house.
If you go on Amazon, you can get these yellow ear plugs made by 3M and they are great. The first time I used them when I was in the hospital and I couldn’t sleep because it was so noisy in my room right by the nursing station, plus they kept waking me up to check on me or the equipment. When I got home I found them on Amazon and now I use them because my Ahole neighbors think everyone should be awake when they have to go to work! So I can sleep in as long as i want now .I sleep like a baby with no loud noises!
I noticed the woman who owned the pit bulls said that her dogs weren’t vicious! They had bitten 3 people previously, killed a man within hours of her statement and sent 3 others to the hospital that day but they’re still not vicious! What does it take for her to consider her maulers vicious?
Rose, she’s not really gonna admit that her dogs she profiting off of by dogfighting or selling pitbull puppies to dogfighters are by nature vicious and uncontrollable, is she?
C’mon now, “the right to remain silent” here, eh? Even if her dogs were anything, but.
/irony mode, off
That poor woman! It would really set an example if these 2 owners got prison time. That the city gave those killers back 3 times, they definitely have some responsibility there! Let’s hope and pray that those responsible will actually pay for their criminal negligence.
If only the general public were exposed to the unthinkable wreckage these dogs and their irresponsible owners cause. I hear the heartache and see the tears of this woman who has lost the love of her life. So senseless. And beyond that, the trauma she will live with for the rest of her life; emotionally, mentally and physically. In his last act of love, Ramon saved Janie’s life. What greater love is that? This couple ought to be enjoying their grandchildren and their Golden Years. God bless Janie Najera. May her husband rest in peace. And may justice be done!
I can only try to imagine what this poor woman has went through and will continue to go through.
These owners need to pay a steep price and made an example of. Same is true of the city for allowing these monsters to continue attacking time after time. It’s not simply a matter of revenge or justice even but prevention. If owners understand the consequences of owning killing machines and it will make prospective pit owners think twice. And same for these lax city officials.
All our sympathies go out to this lady.
There she and hubby are, just hoping to y’know, mebbe take a few nature walks in their retirement, grow some tomatoes, make cookies with the grandkids.
Destroyed by a pair of chuckleheaded pitbull nutters who thought bringing home apex predator–more akin to tigers than dog–to breed them was a sensible profit-making venture.