Posted on June 25, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bulls Kill Woman and Her Dog, Critically Injure Man in Sierra Vista, Arizona; Dog Owners Charged

Cochise County Dog Owners Convicted of Felony Charges

A pair of pit bulls killed Helene Jackson and critically injured a 53-year old man.

Dog Owners Sentenced
UPDATE 04/17/24: A Cochise County judge sentenced the owners of a pair of pit bulls to seven years of probation and a short jail stint in connection to the fatal pit bull mauling of Helene Jackson in June 2023. Judge Jason Lindstrom described the crime scene-related photos he viewed before the sentencing as "nightmarish" and like a "horror movie." Chief Deputy County Attorney Lori Zucco said during the hearing, "This is one of the most gruesome homicides that has come through our office."

Both Shimira Sanches and Ashlee Sanches, who are married, will serve six months in jail at staggered times, due to a child in their home. Shimira was ordered to start serving her term immediately. In October, Ashlee must self-surrender to the Cochise County Jail to serve her six-month term. The gruesome multi-victim attack left Jackson dead, her dog Lily dead, and Shimira's uncle, who tried to stop the dogs from escaping the property, so damaged that doctors had to amputate his left arm.

Both defendants were convicted of negligent homicide and assault by vicious animal. The maximum jail time Lindstrom could impose was one year for each. Jackson's family hoped that both women would be sentenced to the full two years. In February 2023, the pit bulls had attacked a man and his dog under similar circumstances. In December 2023, Jackson's family served a $7.5 million notice of a claim against the city of Sierra Vista for their negligence in handling the first vicious attack.

"Had the City and ACS Garcia complied with their obligations under City Animal Control Ordinance§ 90.05(8) in February 2023, Thor and Panda would either have been euthanized, or appropriate safeguards required ... The City and its animal control officers ... had a duty to protect citizens such as Helene Jackson from attacks by canines such as Thor and Panda, once the vicious and aggressive nature or such canines becomes known to them." - Michael Jackson, et al., v. City of Sierra Vista, Arizona - Notice of Claim pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-821.01

11/18/23: Plea Hearing Ordered
On September 1, the owners of two pit bulls that killed 84-year old Helene Jackson and her dog, and critically injured 53-year old Sam Sanches, Jr., in Sierra Vista in June pleaded not guilty to multiple felonies in connection to the attacks. In August, Shimira Sanches, 43, and Ashlee Sanches, 35, were charged with felony manslaughter, felony negligent homicide, assault by vicious animals, also a felony, and two aggressive dog violation charges. A plea hearing has since been ordered.

Information released in the plea hearing announcement confirmed that the first victim, Sam, is a relative that was living at the home of Shimira and Ashlee Sanches, who are married. Sam, who is Shimira's uncle, was home alone that day with a young boy and two pit bulls, "Panda" and "Thor." Sam endured horrific injuries, including the amputation of his left arm and skin grafting procedures, while trying to stop one of the dogs from jumping a cinderblock wall as Jackson walked by.

That pit bull proceeded to enter the alley and attack Helene Jackson, who later died, and killed her small dog, Lily. Then the dog returned to its yard and joined the other pit bull that was attacking Sam. Both dogs were fatally shot at the scene by Sierra Vista police officers. Both women were granted permission on Friday by Judge Jason Lindstrom to take part in a confidential settlement conference with a retired judge in an effort to reach a negotiated plea agreement in both cases.

Sam has the right to take part in the hearing, as does Jackson's husband, Mike Jackson, who is considered a victim representative, reports the Herald/Review. Both men have the right to voice their opposition or support on various legal issues, including bail, release conditions, the terms of any plea offer, sentencing recommendations and more. According to the Herald/Review, part of the hearing may focus on the attack the dogs inflicted in February, four months before the multi-victim attack.

At that time, the pair of pit bulls escaped their property and attacked a dog being walked in the area. A Sierra Vista animal control officer took custody of the pit bulls, which were not vaccinated, and placed them into quarantine. Upon release, the officer advised the Sanches' to update their vaccinations. But they never did. Thus, multiple emergency responders in the multi-victim attack had to spend two stressful weeks waiting for lab results to learn if the pit bulls tested positive for rabies.

Escalating Dog-on-Dog Attacks

In a four-month period, "Panda" and "Thor" escalated from escaping their property to attack one dog being walked in the area to escaping their property (again) to attack another dog being walked in the area, killing that dog, Lily, and its owner, Helene Jackson, and nearly killing a person in their own household, Sam Sanches. A single previous dog-on-dog attack by this pair of pit bulls led to a multi-victim attack resulting in a human death, a dog death and a human left with catastrophic injuries.

The injuries inflicted on the dog in the first dog-on-dog attack are unknown. However, it’s clear that the pair pit bulls were not declared "vicious" under Sierra Vista code at that time. The definition of a "vicious animal" under the city code is "any animal that has a propensity to attack, that bites, attempts to bite, endangers, injures or causes an injury to a human being(s) or other animal(s) without provocation, or has been declared so after a hearing by a City Magistrate, or Justice of the Peace."

08/14/23: Pit Bull Owners Charged
After an elderly woman and her pet dog were killed by a pair of pit bulls and a man critically injured by the same dogs in Sierra Vista in June, the dogs' owners are now facing five charges. Shimira and Ashlee Sanches each face charges of felony manslaughter, felony negligent homicide, assault by vicious animals, also a felony, and two aggressive dog violation charges in connection to the death of 84-year old Helene Jackson and the critical injuries of 53-year old Samuel Sanches on June 23.

The multi-victim attack occurred as Jackson and her dog, Lily, were walking in an alley between Meadowlark Drive and Calle Del Norte at about 6:00 pm. It is alleged that one of the pit bulls jumped over the owners' cinderblock wall to attack Jackson and her dog in an alley. Jackson was transported to a local hospital, where she died of her injuries. Lily was discovered dead in the alley. Samuel was seriously injured by a second pit bull belonging to the owners while trying to help Jackson.

The current medical condition of Samuel Sanches is unknown. It is also unknown if he is related to either owner, who share his same last name. We were able to locate two previous pit bulls owned by Shimira on her Facebook page, but not current ones. Online court records show the charges were filed on August 10, and a grand jury summons was issued on August 11. Both will be arraigned on September 5 in the Division IV courtroom with Superior Court Judge Timothy Dickerson.

06/25/23: Dog Kills One, Injures Another
Sierra Vista, AZ - On Friday, at least one pit bull critically injured a 53-year old man and killed an 84-year old woman and her small dog. The Sierra Vista Police Department (SVPD) responded to the 600 block of Calle Del Norte around 6:00 pm after reports of a dog attack in the alley between Calle Del Norte and Meadowlark. When officers arrived, they discovered a dog attacking Sam Sanches Jr., 53, in the backyard of his home. Officers shot and killed that dog to render immediate aid to Sanches.

Officers then found Helene Jackson, 84, mortally wounded in the alley behind the home, "as a second dog returned to the same yard where the first attack occurred," states the release. Officers shot and killed the second pit bull too. Jackson was transported to Canyon Vista Medical Center, where she died of her injuries Friday night. Jackson's own dog was found dead in the alley near where she was located. The three dog carcasses were transported to Sierra Vista Animal Control.

SVPD PRESS RELEASE (June 24, 2023): Dog attack leaves one Sierra Vista resident dead, another seriously injured

On Friday, June 23, the Sierra Vista Police Department responded to the area of Calle Del Norte after a 911 caller reported a dog attack in the alley between Meadowlark Drive and Calle Del Norte.

Officers arrived on the scene and found a dog attacking a male victim in the backyard of a residence on Calle Del Norte. Officers dispatched the dog and provided first aid to the victim until emergency medical assistance arrived. A second female victim was found in the alley behind the residence as a second dog returned to the same yard where the first attack occurred. The second dog was also dispatched by SVPD officers.

Helene Jackson, an 84-year-old Sierra Vista resident, was transported to the Canyon Vista Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries Friday night. Her dog was found deceased in the alley near where she was located.

Sam Sanches Jr., a 53-year-old Sierra Vista resident, was transported to Banner Medical Center in Tucson where he remains in critical condition from his injuries.

The three deceased dogs were secured by the Sierra Vista Police Department’s Animal Control Office pending further investigation.

This is an active investigation and anyone with information relevant to this incident is asked to contact SVPD Detective Thomas P. Ransford at (520) 452-7500.

On Saturday, the Arizona Daily Independent reported that Jackson and her small dog Lily were taking a stroll in a residential alley when a pit bull "jumped a cinderblock wall-styled fence of a nearby home" and attacked them both, ultimately killing them both. Jackson sustained multiple traumatic injuries to her limbs, neck and face. She died shortly after reaching the hospital. Sanches resides in the home from where the pit bull jumped from, but apparently he is not the dogs' owner.

The role of the second dog, also described by witnesses as a pit bull, in this multi-victim attack is less clear, though police shot and killed it to stop it from entering the backyard, the first attack site. According to neighbors, a dog from the same home was involved in an injury attack earlier this year but it is unknown if that attack was reported to police. The owner(s) of the attacking dogs is apparently cooperating with the investigation being led by SVPD Detective Thomas Ransford.

The approximate location of the fatal dog mauling of Helene Jackson in the alleyway. Sierra Vista Live captured dramatic images of first responders at the scene, as well as the alley.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Arizona Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

Baseline reporting requirements:
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.

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Infant Killed by Pit Bull-Husky Mix, After 'Bite to the Neck,' in Lenawee County, Michigan

An infant was killed by a pet pit bull-husky mix in Madison Charter Township on Monday.

Infant Killed by Dog
Madison Charter Township, MI - On Saturday, it was reported that an infant was killed by a pet dog on June 19 in Lenawee County, according to the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office. The deadly dog attack occurred in the 1900 block of Harold Street at around 5:00 pm. Audio dispatch log files from Lenawee County Police and Fire, state, "An infant, under 1-years old, dog bite to the neck." The dispatcher also states that they, "request extra manpower" to respond to the attack scene.

The female infant was outside with the dog when the attack occurred, according to the Madison Township Police Department. An adult was also present at the time. The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office said the infant was visiting her grandmother's home when the attack occurred. The sheriff's office said the dog involved, a "pit bull-husky mix," was a pet dog, not a stray dog, and has since been euthanized by a veterinarian. The infant was declared dead before reaching the hospital.

Husky-Inflicted Infant Attacks

Huskies, as we have long recorded on this site, have a very specific pattern of killing newborns, who are only a few days or weeks old. Husky-inflicted infant attacks typically occur indoors and involve the dog biting a sleeping newborn on the head when an adult is not present. The most recent husky deaths include a husky biting a 4-day old infant on the head in Arkansas in 2022, and a pet husky biting a 22-day old sleeping infant on the head multiple times in Georgia in 2019.

What little is known about the Michigan attack is that it occurred outdoors, the baby was visiting the grandmother's home, and the dog bite(s) targeted the infant's neck. All three scenarios are possible but atypical of a husky-inflicted infant attack. It is also unknown how old the infant was -- days, weeks or months. The identity of the infant was not released. The Madison Township Police Dept. is leading the investigation. The Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office has been notified.

Child's Age Identified

On Monday, more information was provided about the victim and the dog. The infant was 11-months old. Upon arrival of medical personnel, she was transported to ProMedica Hickman Hospital, where she died. Madison Township Police Chief Michael Shadbolt said the dog was a 5-year old pit bull-mix breed and had been a family pet. The "husky" aspect was dropped. We did locate photos of the dog on the grandfather's Facebook page. The dog is predominantly pit bull.

The suspected dog on the grandfather's Facebook page, "Chief," is predominantly pit bull.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: Michigan Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Child Killed by Three Pit Bull-Mixes, Two Arrested in Apache County, Arizona

Apache County Dog Owners Face Felony Charges After Fatal Attack

Two adults were arrested after a child was killed by three pit bull-mixes in Apache County.

Child Killed by Dogs
Apache County, AZ - A 2-year old girl is dead and two adults have been charged after three dogs attacked the toddler. On June 21, at about 5:00 pm, the Apache County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) received a call for assistance for a child severely injured in a "domestic dog attack," according to an ACSO report. Deputies responded to a home at 40 County Road 3043, south of Concho. The child was taken to Summit Regional Medical Center in Show Low, where she later died.

After investigating, deputies arrested the owners of three pit bull-mix dogs. Jason Brad Kruse, 50, and Tonjia Maria Chubokoff, 51, were arrested and booked into the Apache County Jail on one charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon -- which is a class 2 felony because of the victim's age -- and assault by a vicious animal at large, a class 5 felony, reports the White Mountain Independent. The remote location of the attack lies between Phoenix and Albuquerque.

The first charge, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, is a charge we rarely see in fatal dog maulings, as it clearly speaks to "intent." Prosecutors in Oklahoma tried several years ago, but the witness who allegedly observed this intent (commanding his pit bulls to attack), was unreliable. Also, a woman in Kentucky, who went "redneck" on a man, beating him and commanding her pit bull to attack him, accepted a plea in 2022 and was sentenced to 20 years in a state prison.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Arizona Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Walking Down a Road in Rockport, Texas Brutally Killed by Multiple Dogs

Rockport Dog Owners Face Second-Degree Felony Charges After Dog Mauling

Lewis Flores, 40, was killed by multiple dogs while walking down a road in Rockport, Texas.

Man Killed by Dogs
Rockport, TX - Early Tuesday, a man was killed by multiple loose dogs in Rockport, Aransas County Sheriff Bill Mills said. Lewis Flores, 40-years old, was walking in the 1000 block of Monkey Road at about 5:00 am when the dogs attacked. An arriving deputy shot and struck one of the dogs, but the pack then fled. Deputies began administering CPR to Flores. He was taken to a local hospital. The sheriff's office was later advised that he died of injuries sustained by the dogs.

The Rockport Pilot reports that some dogs near the attack scene were taken into custody by animal control and detained by warrants. Police continue to search for additional dogs believed to be involved in the deadly attack. As of 5:00 pm Tuesday, the wounded dog still had not been located. Authorities are asking residents to contact them if they see two roaming dogs believed to be involved in the attack -- one light tan in color, and the other a mixed-breed darker color.

Aransas County Sheriff's Office
June 20,2023 - At approximately 5 am this morning Deputies from the Aransas County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man calling for help in the 1000 Block of San Antonio Street. Upon arrival it was discovered to be on Monkey Road and Deputies moved to that location where a where a male was discovered on the ground being attacked by several dogs. When the Deputy approached, they turned their aggression to the officer who fired and believes he struck one of the dogs. All the animals fled the location and officers began CPR in an effort to revive him EMS made the location and took over the medical attention for the victim. Animal Control as well had been dispatched. Law Enforcement turned their attention to processing the scene gathering items belonging to the victim who was transported by EMS to the local E.R.

The Sheriff’s Office was later advised that Lewis Flores age 40 had died of injuries sustained by the dogs. Animals from that location were taken by Animal Control and detained with warrants. Through out the day Investigators have worked to gather all the evidence we can. Others have attempted to locate the other animals that were involved. As of 5 p.m. the wounded dog has not been located. It is an active investigation and anyone with information is ask to call 361-729-2222 and ask to speak to an investigator. Also if residents in the area of Corpus Christi Street and Monkey Road see two dogs roaming the area light tan in color and one a mixed breed darker color, please call the Dispatch Center so Deputies can attempt to catch them with Animal Control. - Sheriff Bill Mills

KRIS-TV reports that Sheriff Mills has identified who the dog owner is. "We have identified who we believe the owner is. The investigation is still premature," Sheriff Mills said. By 8:00 pm Central Time, KRIS-TV reported that all of the dogs were captured. KIII-TV went to the scene and spoke to the person who called 911. Adrian Arispe, who lives on San Antonio Street, said he called 911 after hearing Flores screaming for help on Monkey Road, the street that lies behind Arispe's home.

Arispe said the dog pack stripped the man naked and left him looking like a shark had eaten him. "He was laying there face down, naked -- all torn up like a shark ate him," Arispe told KIII-TV. "He had his shoes, socks, shirt ripped, and his whole body was just from head to toe diced and sliced," he said. "They were tugging him. All five ways," he said. Arispe hopes the dogs are quickly captured and killed. What Arispe described is a very common scene after a fatal pack attack.

Dog Owner Arrested

On Wednesday afternoon, the dogs' owner, 33-year old Guadalupe Carreon, was arrested and booked into the Aransas County Jail. Carreon has been charged with Attack by Dog Resulting in Death, under the Texas felony dog attack statute § 822.005, which is a second-degree felony. There were three adult dogs and two puppies involved in the fatal attack, Judge Ray Garza told KIII-TV. Family members of the victim have started a GoFundMe to help defray funeral costs.

Flores' brutal death by a pack of loose dogs occurred just three days after Texas governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bi-partisan bill that would have made it easier for animal control departments to investigate dangerous dogs. The bill, known as the "Ramon Najera Act," would have also protected the identity of individuals reporting dangerous dogs to authorities. Ramon Najera, 81-years old, was killed by two pit bulls with a known history of biting in San Antonio in February.

Second Arrest Made

On Thursday, a second person was arrested in connection to Flores' death, Aransas County Sheriff Bill Mills said in a news release. Mario Alberto Mendoza Pena, 33-years old, was arrested 200 hundred miles away at the McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. Pena, a Texas man, had been trying to enter the U.S. from Mexico when an officer matched him with an outstanding warrant from Aransas County.

Pena is also charged with Attack by Dog Resulting in Death. He is currently being held in the Hidalgo County Jail and is expected to be extradited to Aransas County. Online public property records say that Carreon and Pena reside at 1027 San Antonio Street. We call this out because the property has one of the strangest fence lines we have ever seen. It is an "elevated" fence about two feet off the ground, meaning that virtually any sized dog could run underneath it.

Then, if you move in Google Maps to the right, we see the driveway of Arispe's home on the left, his neighbors on the other side of the road standing in their driveway, and the "light tan" pit bull we pointed out earlier from the March 2023 Google Street View. From a prosecution standpoint, this appears to be an open-and-shut case. Carreon and Pena have tall wooden fencing, but it starts about two feet off the ground (this does not appear to be storm water related), and no gate!

Two dogs seen in March 2023 Google Street View near the fatal attack. Both dogs are uncollared. The "light tan" pit bull is at large across the street from Arispe's home on San Antonio Street.