Posted on October 18, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

Macro-Level Forces Report: Covid Impacts of 2022 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Capture Rate of Nonprofit

Dog Bite Fatalities Surged in 2022; a 104% Increase from 2019

DogsBite.org - Last April, we published the 2021 Macro-Level Forces Report for U.S. dog bite fatality data. Current data shows that during 2021, the second Covid year, our nonprofit had a 28-victim deficit compared to CDC Wonder underlying cause of death (UCD) data, a 42% difference in the number of deaths.1 The victim deficit during the third Covid year, 2022, is even higher. CDC Wonder data shows there were 98 dog bite fatalities in 2022. Our nonprofit recorded 56 deaths, a 55% difference.

98 fatal dog attacks in a single year are the most ever recorded by CDC data. This is a 104% increase from 2019 and a 180% increase from 2018.

Prior to the pandemic (2005 to 2019), the largest deficit of unreported deaths our nonprofit had compared to CDC data was 4 each for the years 2005 and 2010. During 2022, there was a deficit of 42 unreported deaths. Without our FOIAs, the deficit would have been 48. The disparity during 2022 is greater than in 2021 and 2020, even though the average number of citations per victim only fell 30% (15.9) in 2022, compared to falling 44% (12.8) in 2020 from the pre-Covid baseline year of 2019 (22.7).

A regional breakdown of dog bite fatalities in 2022 shows that the South and Midwest had the most unreported deaths. According to CDC Wonder data, 69% (68 of 98) of the victims in 2022 were ≥ 45 years old. Our nonprofit only captured 47% (32 of 68) of these deaths. However, we already knew the 50 and older age group was underrepresented in media reports. We discussed this disparity in our 2020 discussion notes (Comparing 15-Year Data Sets - DogsBite.org Data and CDC Wonder Data).

2022 dog bite fatalities by age and region

U.S. dog bite fatalities during the third Covid year, 2022, by Census region and age

Characteristics of Unreported Fatal Dog Attacks (2005 to 2024)

Since 2011, we have uncovered 36 unreported deaths through FOIAs or other means. Most of them, 61% (22), occurred after March 2020. The most likely unreported fatal dog attack is an adult ≥ 40 years old, 75% (27), killed by a single or pair of pit bulls (18 of 27) in an urban area (22 of 27) within a state that prohibits or limits breed-specific laws. Of the 36 total deaths, 72% (26) involved pit bulls, and of that, 65% (17 of 26) involved a single or pair of family pit bulls killing a household member.

72% (26) of the total unreported fatal attacks involved family dogs killing a household member, and 67% (24) involved a single dog attacking.

During 2022, the 6 unreported deaths we uncovered included four males, ≥ 40 years old, killed by 1 or more pit bulls. In one case, the man had adopted the pair of pit bulls two weeks earlier. We also uncovered two child deaths in 2022, both ≤ 1 year old. Of the 8 total unreported child deaths, including the ones just mentioned, 50% (4) were killed by pit bulls, 38% (3) were killed by American bulldogs, and 13% (1) was killed by a mastiff. 75% of these deaths involved a family dog killing the child.

CDC Wonder dog bite fatality data compared to DogsBite.org data over 18 years (2005-2022).

Discussion

Initially, the chart appears to reflect the pandemic kicked off a visible increase in year-to-year deaths. However, the largest increase is from 2018 to 2019, a 37% rise, which occurred pre-Covid. From 2019 to 2020, there was a 29% rise in deaths; from 2020 to 2021, a 31% rise; and from 2021 to 2022 a 21% rise. The chart also shows that during the 37% rise from 2018 to 2019, our capture rate was not impeded. When Covid-19 macro-forces erupted in 2020, our capture rate declined each year after.

The chart also shows that between 2005 and 2018, the average number of deaths per year captured by our nonprofit was 33.86, compared to CDC Wonder data of 33.64. The annual number of deaths during that 14-year period gradually increases but otherwise shows slight variation. After three years of Covid conditions, between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022, the average number of deaths per year captured by our nonprofit rose to 52.00, and CDC Wonder data shot up to 80.33.

Thus, one must ask what happened between 2018 and 2022, when the number of deaths per year rose by 180% (from 35 CDC Wonder deaths to 98). The number of dog bite fatalities increased during that period much faster than the 14-year period between 2005 to 2018. After years of annual deaths in the 30s range, CDC data suddenly skips deaths in the 50s range and 70s range. CDC data shows that in 2019, there were 48 deaths; in 2020, 62 deaths; in 2021, 81 deaths, and in 2022, 98 deaths.

Pre-Covid Trends

In our nonprofit's data, several trends were rising before 2019. Between 2005 to 2018, the ages and genders of victims between the first and third periods (2005-2009 and 2015-2018) show that the percentage of fatal dog attacks involving adults, 50-69 years old, rose 77%. This was largely driven by females, 50-69 years old, which rose 98%. Males declined overall, but the 50-69 years old age group rose 49%. During this same period, the percentage of fatal attacks involving pit bulls rose by 29%.

While the number of "actual" rescue dogs involved in fatal dog attacks is impossible to obtain, the percentage of people killed by rescue dogs jumped from 2% during the first period (2005-2009) to 15.9% during the third period (2015-2018), a rise of over 600%. Owner-directed fatal dog attacks rose from 10.7% during the first period to 17.2% during the third period, a 62% rise. Those were some trends heading into 2019, which began the steep ladder increase in CDC data from 2019 to 2022.

Covid 2022 Conditions

In January 2022, the Omicron and Delta variants began surging, causing the U.S. death rate to climb again. Booster shots were in great demand. In March, several regions in China had new lockdowns (tens of millions of people). In April, CDC reported that Covid was the third leading cause of death in the U.S. -- after heart disease and cancer. Meanwhile, Covid-19 continued to wreak havoc on supply chains and labor shortages, both of which contributed to rising prices and inflation around the world.

Possible Covid conditions contributing to the disparity of 42 unreported dog bite fatalities in 2022 aren't as straightforward as in 2020. However, there continued to be "hollowed out staffing" and layoffs in the news media sector. Phrases like "news deserts" -- areas where newspapers no longer exist -- and "ghost papers" gained traction.2-3 More paywalls went up,4 and there continued to be a reduction of media releases from police. All of which impacted our ability to capture more deaths.

Summary

During 2022, there was a 30% (15.9) reduction in the number of citations per victim compared to the pre-Covid baseline year of 2019 (22.7). There was a surge in unreported fatal dog attacks, 42 deaths, and a rise in the total number of deaths to 98 -- the highest ever recorded in CDC Wonder data. This is a 104% increase from 2019 and a 180% increase from 2018. Victims ≥ 45 years old accounted for the most unreported dog bite fatalities, and most attacks occurred in the South and Midwest regions.

Given the increase of fatal dog attacks during pre-Covid 2019 and the surge that followed, we predict another rise in unreported deaths in 2023.

There was a significant increase of fatal dog attacks during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 Covid years, but the growth began in 2019. The largest increase occurred between 2018 and 2019, with a 37% rise in dog bite fatalities. What drove that growth likely continued through the Covid years, combined with being impacted by Covid conditions, including more at-risk populations being displaced.5-6 At the same time, our nonprofit's capture rate declined due to lowered media reports instigated by Covid.

2022 Macro Level Forces Report - Citations per victim

U.S. dog bite fatality average citations per-victim for 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

1"Current data" may not reflect "past" data due to uncovering new dog bite fatalities from past years. For instance, current data for our 2021 dog bite fatality capture rate shows a 28-victim deficit compared to CDC Wonder data. At the time of the original publication date -- April 18, 2023 -- there was a 29-victim deficit in our 2021 data.
2Rick Edwards, "An updated survey of US newspapers finds 360 more have closed since 2019," Poynter, June 29, 2024 (poynter.org).
3The State of Local News: The 2022 Report, by Penny Abernathy, Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, June 29, 2022 (localnewsinitiative.northwestern.edu) | "Even though the pandemic was not the catastrophic “extinction-level event” some feared, the country lost more than 360 newspapers between the waning pre-pandemic months of late 2019 and the end of May 2022. "
4Sara Fischer, "Media experts sound alarm on rise of paywalled content," Axios, January 11, 2022 (axios.com).
5Over the 14-year period of 2005 to 2018, we recorded 3 homeless individuals killed by dogs. Just under a 6-year period, from January 2019 to October 2024, we recorded at least 12 homeless individuals killed by dogs. The number is easily higher. Police may not release a victim's "living status" information, and if next-of-kin cannot be located, police won't release the victim's name.
6Kevin Freking, "US homelessness up 12% to highest reported level as rents soar and coronavirus pandemic aid lapses," Associated Press, December 15, 2023 (apnews.org).

Macro-level forces reports:
Macro-Level Forces Report: Covid Impacts of 2021 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Capture Rate of Nonprofit
Macro-Level Forces Report: Covid Impacts of 2020 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Capture Rate of Nonprofit

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Schenectady Man Killed by Pit Bulls Behind Residence in Albany; Police Officer Fires on Vicious Dogs

James Provost, 59-years old, was killed by pit bulls behind a residence in Albany, New York.

Man Killed by Dogs
Albany, NY - A man is dead after being attacked by multiple dogs -- the majority being pit bulls, police said. The fatal attack occurred Wednesday in the 500 block of Central Avenue at about 5:55 pm. Officers responded to reports of a man being attacked by several dogs. "Upon arrival, they observed the dogs fatally attacking the man, and in an attempt to stop the attack, one of the responding officers discharged his duty weapon, striking at least one dog," the department said in a press release.

Albany Police are currently investigating a dog attack that occurred this evening on the 500 block of Central Avenue.

On Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at around 5:55 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of Central Avenue for reports of a male being attacked by several dogs. Upon arrival, they observed the dogs fatally attacking the man, and in an attempt to stop the attack, one of the responding officers discharged his duty weapon, striking at least one dog.

The male was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The name of the victim will not be released until proper notifications have been made.

All of the dogs have been accounted for, and the Albany Police Department are currently in the process of placing them in an appropriate homing facility.

At this time the investigation remains active and ongoing. More information will be released as it becomes available. - Albany Police Department

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. His name will not be released until his next of kin have been notified. All of the dogs have been accounted for; the department is "currently in the process of placing them in an appropriate homing facility." (That's an interesting choice of words, since an adoption center is called a "rehoming facility." We hope these dogs are not going to be rehomed.) A video being shared on social media shows the man being attacked by two dogs and collapsing.

According to an Albany Facebook page, the attack occurred in the backyard of a residence that is close to the car wash between Central Avenue and Bradford Street. "Currently on scene are multiple detectives, animal control officers, and officers ... Currently on scene there is what appears to be a person that did not survive." One commenter claimed to have a "buddy at Albany PD," who said the victim was a homeless man that tried to enter someone's backyard and got attacked by pit bulls.

WRGB captured the video on social media and blurred the images. The video was taken by a witness who heard the man crying for help. WRGB also took a still image from the video and blacked out the victim. You can see his foot on the left side, and you can see two muscular pit bulls in the process of mauling the man to death. In the last moments of his life, all he knew is that he was being ripped apart by the powerful jaws of pit bulls. It's literally a medieval death sentence. It's beyond horrifying.

Press Conference

On Thursday, the victim was identified as 59-year old James Provost of Schenectady. New details were released too. Officers responding to the scene found eight or nine dogs attacking Provost. An officer fired on an adult male dog, killing it, and dispersing the others. After rounding up the canines, police said there were 24 dogs, including 15 puppies. The dogs are owned by a "resident of Cohoes," a city 10 miles north, but were being kept by a caretaker in the backyard of 592 Central Avenue.

Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins confirmed during a news conference that police searched the property back in May after receiving a complaint about drug activity. At that time, five to seven dogs were confiscated, but not due to vicious behavior. They were later released. There are multiple units at the 592 property and multiple residents. The dogs were not being raised in a "family atmosphere," Hawkins said. “There are some very, very questionable activities going on at that place,” he said.

Provost was in the backyard of 594 Central Ave. The dogs, which were being kept at 592 Central Ave., got through the fence and attacked him.

The Albany County District Attorney’s Office is considering if criminal charges are warranted. “It was a horrific attack," Hawkins said. "Obviously, when you’re keeping that many animals in a location in violation of city ordinance, and some of those animals kill a person, there’s certainly a possibility for it." Investigators still do not know why Provost was at the 594 location or if he knew any of the residents. “We’re going to do everything we can to bring justice to this person who was viciously attacked."

Hawkins also explained the "homing facility" term. Police confiscated the dogs and determined where they will be held while police sort out the criminal aspects of the case. What ultimately happens to the dogs, will be determined by the courts. The Albany Police Department is not determining the outcome of these dogs. Police continue to have many unanswered questions. Multiple agencies are investigating, including the health department to determine if 592 Central Avenue is habitable.

This mashup shows the front facing homes and the backyard location of the attack in Albany.

Two views of the backyard (592) where the pit bulls were kept. The dogs got through the fence line and attacked Provost in the adjacent backyard (594) of a home painted green.

A still frame from a video showing a Schenectady man being killed by pit bulls in Albany.

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

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Newborn Dies After Being Bitten by Family Dog in Torrance, California

Chevy Womack, 1-month old, died after being bitten by a family dog in Torrance.

Newborn Dies
Torrance, CA - A newborn baby died after being bitten by a family dog Tuesday afternoon. Paramedics were dispatched to a residence in the 2700 block of Martha Avenue around 12:35 pm for a report of an animal bite. "The Torrance Fire Department arrived and discovered that a dog had bit a one-month-old child," the Torrance Police Department said. The Torrance Fire Department transported the child to a local hospital. When Torrance police arrived at the hospital, they were informed the baby girl died.

Upon learning of the child's death, "Detectives responded to the scene and the hospital to conduct a follow-up investigation," Lt. Freddy Ahmad said in a news release. The family owned the dog, and it lived at the residence. The attack occurred inside the home. The infant has been identified as Chevy Womack. Torrance Animal Control took possession of the dog. As of Wednesday, the cause of death is still undetermined pending the Los Angeles County coroner’s investigation, states the release.

NBC Los Angels reports that multiple dogs lived in the home. Authorities seized all of the dogs. NBC spoke to Faye Tohidi, who is a friend of person who lives at the home. Tohidi said she was told, "The dog got ahold of the baby." The dog belonged to the mother, Ahmad said. Detectives are still conducting interviews. Children and Family Services is also investigating, Ahmad said. Torrance Animal Control said the dog involved is a "mixed-breed," which often indicates a "mixed bull breed."

Tohidi, who calls herself a "dog person," told KABC-TV there were three dogs in the home, including a mastiff, pit bull-mix and a mixed-breed dog.

Of the multiple news reports of the infant's death, Tohidi's account is the most impacting. Tohidi had hoped to visit the family today. Then she learned what happened. "I can’t even imagine how the mother feels right now. She must be devastated," she said. Then she offered a warning. "Be aware," she said. "When you have a big dog, and you have an infant in the house, you have to make sure they are completely separate or give your dog away." Tohidi added, "Your newborn needs your attention."

Confirmation of Dog Involved

We received confirmation of the culprit dog from a person who knows the mother. It is the only dog seen on the mother's Facebook page. A male pit bull-mix, apparently "Rambo," that bears striking similarity to the black and white male pit bull-mastiff mixes that killed Joseph Keeton in 2023. Last Halloween, when the mother could not find Rambo, she warned, "Rambo can get aggressive if you have gloves, a helmet, or a mask on. I don't want him running around and mistakenly hurt anyone."

newborn dies dog bite torrance, suspected dog involved

The only dog on the mother's Facebook page is this male black and white pit bull-mastiff mix. The dog is always seen indoors: lying on furniture, lying on the carpet, or inside a car.

newborn dies dog bite torrance, view of the backyard

Top image: The mother's Halloween post about Rambo. Bottom image: KABC's chopper got a shot of the backyard. The soft-sided playpen appears to be keeping puppies inside(?)

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: California 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 October 8, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Babysitter's XL Pit Bulls Kill Baby, Attack Teenager Inside Home in Bexar County, Texas

Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar press conference after Heather Rodriguez is perp walked.

Babysitter Arrested
Bexar County, TX - On Monday, multiple pit bulls of the XL variety attacked a baby boy and a 13-year old, who had been left to look after him. The baby did not survive. Prior to the baby dying, police arrested Heather Rodriguez, 36, in connection to the attack and charged her with serious bodily injury by omission, which carries a 5 to 99 year penalty. Rodriguez was supposed to be babysitting. Instead, she left the baby with her 13-year old daughter. Rodriguez was not home when the dogs attacked.

Investigators said the two children were sequestered in a room when the dogs forced their way inside through a door the dogs had previously damaged. Sheriff Javier Salazar said a "tug-of-war" over the baby ensued between the teen and one of the dogs, until she fled into a bathroom with the baby, where the dogs forced their way inside. The teen then retrieved her phone to call 911 and fled into another room with the baby and barricaded that door "using her body" until help arrived, he said.

"Do not go through the front door," states the dispatcher for Bexar County Fire and EMS. "They are advising to go through a window upstairs. The dogs are not letting the complainant out of the room, or anyone into the residence."1

Salazar also said the dogs chased the teen from room to room. She even held the baby above her head. "She made every effort possible, even lifting that baby up over her head...the dog actually climbed up onto something and was able to get the baby out of her hand and tear the baby out of her hand, this little girl was put in a situation where she went from that bedroom, to a bathroom, to another bedroom and was chased every step of the way by these dogs who were continuing to bite her."

The attack occurred around 10:00 am in the 9700 block of Spruce Ridge Drive near Converse. The baby was transported to San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) with severe head and throat injuries, where he later died. On Tuesday, the Bexar County Medical Examiner identified the boy as Jiryiah Johnson. He died on Monday shortly before 9:30 pm. Sheriff Salazar said the attack lasted about two minutes. Salazar said Rodriguez had previously been cited for the dogs running at large.

Three XL bullies were seized from the home, but not without resistance. Rodriguez "didn't want to give us the dogs," Salazar said. She even tried to barter. "Okay we're just going to give you this one but not these others," Salazar mimicked. The deputies stepped in and took the dogs by force. All three dogs were present and/or participated in the violent attack. Rodriguez has been uncooperative with investigators. "She refused to give a statement. She didn't have anything to say to us," Salazar said.

Bexar County Sheriff's Office released crime scene aftermath images of the interior of the home.

Thank you so much for joining us. We wanted to show you this suspect, but also to clarify some information that was given to us preliminarily...Heather Rodriguez, which is the 36-year-old female that you just met, she is not related biologically to the baby. She is in fact, in my understanding a caregiver. This morning, she took custody of the child for purposes of babysitting. At a certain point, we're still trying to determine at what point that was, Miss Rodriguez left the house and left the baby in custody of her, Heather's, 13-year-old daughter. That 13-year-old and the baby were in a bedroom. My understanding is that there was an effort to keep the baby sequestered from the dogs because these dogs were known to cause damage. At a certain point, the little girl, the 13-year-old, was in the bedroom with the one-year-old little boy when the dogs forced their way into the room. My understanding is that the door leading into that room was already damaged by the dogs at some point before that rendered it not completely secure. The dogs were able to force their way into the bedroom, and at that point began biting the baby.

The 13-year-old was able to maintain control of the baby but at this point, and what's being described to me is it was almost a tug-of-war for the baby between at least one of the dogs and the little girl. At a certain point, additional dogs came into the room as well. Then they joined in the attack. The little girl then spent several minutes trying to fight them off. She was able to get the baby and herself into a bedroom -- or I'm sorry a bathroom attached to that bedroom. The dogs also went into that bathroom. They forced their way into the bathroom. They then began to resume their attack on not just the baby but also on the 13-year-old. She was also bitten in the process.

At a certain point she had to break away and physically left the baby behind in the bathroom being attacked while she went to go get her cell phone to call for help. She was able to grab her cell phone, come back and resume fighting with the dogs over the baby. At a certain point she was able to call for help. She then took the baby and went into another bedroom, at which point she was able to put the baby on the floor and barricade the door using her body to prevent the dogs from coming into that bedroom. When deputies arrived, that's when they were able to come in, take custody of the scene, take control of the scene. They found the baby there. Began first aid. Called for EMS, who was there pretty quickly. EMS was able to transport the baby to the hospital. From what we understand about the baby right now, definitely critical condition. My understanding is that they were not able to get the baby stabilized enough to move to University [Hospital], as we were hoping for, but rather they maintained care of the baby there at SAMMC.

The injuries are pretty substantial. I've actually seen some pictures of the baby gleaned from our body camera video of the deputies, and it's heartbreaking. To see anybody in that condition -- even more so a one-year-old baby -- pretty severe head injuries. My understanding is that the baby's throat and airway are actually damaged to the point where the baby's not able to breathe through normal means. Obviously, they've had to do some surgical intervention to allow that to happen. My understanding is that the actual parents of the baby are now at the hospital.

My understanding is that...this dog had some sort of history prior to this happening. In April, the sheriff's office was dispatched for loose dogs, and the dogs were keeping the caller inside his car. In other words, they were not letting him get out of his car. They were barking and growling at him. He was afraid for his safety, did not get out of the car, and called for us. We were able to show up and get the dogs away and allow that caller to get out of the car. The dogs were secured, and at that point Miss Rodriguez was actually cited for having dogs running free of restraint. In other words, unleashed dogs. She was allowed to maintain custody the dogs at that point.

My understanding is that the parents knew that Miss Rodriguez had dogs, but they did not know that the dogs were problematic. I'm led to believe they would not have let her care for their baby...had they known these dogs were unsafe.

At any rate, the parents are with the baby at this point, and Miss Rodriguez, it is our intent, as she's being transported over to south tower, our intent is to book her for injury to a child with serious bodily injury by omission. It's a first-degree felony. She may face additional charges for the injuries sustained by her own daughter, the 13-year-old. I've got to be honest. The 13-year-old in this instance is absolutely, I'm considering her a hero. I think that that her actions led to that baby not being mauled even more seriously or even killed as a result of this savage dog attack. So this little girl, unfortunately she sustained injuries herself. I believe she's going to have some lasting psychological effects as a result of it, but I do I consider her a hero. CPS is actually involved in this case as well not just for the welfare of the baby himself but additionally...the 13-year-old.

It's a certainly a heartbreaking situation for all. Again, Heather Rodriguez will be booked, and our intent is to book her for injury to a child, serious bodily injury. That's pending if the DA's office will accept that charge...

Responses to media questions:

Q: Are the baby's injuries life-threatening?

A: The baby boy is in critical, life-threatening injuries, definitely life-threatening injuries.

Q: Do we know the extent of the 13-year-old injuries?

A: My understanding is that she was...it's horrible to say. She was covered in blood, but I think the majority of that blood belonged to the baby. She was injured. I don't believe she was injured so much to the point where she had to be hospitalized...She was left there at the house. CPS, once they get over there, may determine that she needs to be hospitalized...or at least removed from the home...Again, I consider her a hero in this situation. She got left in a pretty bad situation for any 13-year-old to be left in charge of a baby like that, but in a house full of vicious dogs. What did this lady, the suspect, think was going to happen?

Q: You called the 13-year-old a hero. How long do you think she went back and forth with this dog before she was able to call 911?

A: It was about two minutes. All said and done, this attack was about two minutes. The dogs, I haven't seen the dogs, but they're described to me as XL pits of bulldogs. They're very thick very heavy muscular dogs. So, for a 13-year-old little girl, I haven't seen how big she, is but for her to be able to fight...Two minutes is a long time to fight when you're outnumbered. We're talking at least two, possibly three dogs that she was fighting with, probably each weighing more than she did...My understanding is it's four dogs...This is not the first time being babysat...

Q: Do we know if all four dogs took part in the attack?

A: At this point, no. I believe at least two. But it's possible all four of them may have...We'll see what ends up happening. Obviously for any dog that took part in it needs to be put down. I don't think there's any scenario in which we could see giving any of these dogs back...That's outside our hands it's up to animal control to determine which dogs were involved...

Q: Question [regarding the babysitter, dog owner]
Initially we thought she was related to the baby. We come to find out that she's not. What I can tell you is that at that scene they really gave our deputies a hard time as far as they...didn't want to give us the dogs.
Then it was, "Okay we're just going to give you this one but not these others." The deputies stepped in and said no, "we're going to take all the dogs." We took them all. If we're able to find out that one of the dogs or several of the dogs were not responsible for it then fine perhaps those can go back. You know she seemed to be more concerned with what was going on with those dogs than with the fact that that her inaction, her omissions, almost caused the death of a baby and still might, God forbid...At this point, I believe we're trying to find out if she went to work or went to run an errand, but certainly nothing could be so important that you would endanger the life of a baby like that.

Q: We also don't know how long she was gone from the house?

A: We don't.

Q: Seems like she is not cooperating?

A: Oh, she came down with us, and she refused to give a statement. She didn't have anything to say to us...

Q: Can you just talk about the state of Bexar County in San Antonio with it seems dog attacks happen unfortunately once a week?

A: Sure. It's something that we are seeing way too often. I think the whole system -- city, county, statewide -- I think all of us could stand to tighten things down a bit. We know that it's a continuing issue with us. At present, we're looking at our own internal policies, and [asking] what can we do? Unfortunately, in this situation, Animal Control doesn't answer to me or my agency. We do what we can to work with them. So we'll see what we can do to tighten up our part of the process. All the indicators are that they'll work with us, but we just need to see how we can work better together to prevent these things from happening...it is something that we're seeing with much more frequency -- dog attacks on the elderly, dog attacks on babies. It's not something that we can continue to just let the status quo..

The Dogs, Owners & Breeders

Last night, we researched the owners and breeders of these dogs. Heather Rodriguez and Jason Reddick are both associated to the address where the attack occurred. Reddick promotes "Snowstorm Bullies." Both of them have photos of "Snowstorm's Scooby Doo," the celebrated male stud dog, on Facebook as recently as January for Reddick. Two other dogs we believe were seized at the scene is Pinky Pie (pink collar) and the mother of both, "Queen Monae", who bore that litter in late 2021.

That said, given the nature of "tight" XL bully breedings, all of the dogs seized could be offspring of Scooby Doo or Queen Monae that share similar markings. However, given Rodriguez's behavior of refusing to give up the dogs and "bartering" with deputies, so that she could at least keep one or two of them, indicates to us she wanted to hold onto the moneymaker(s) for future breedings. Salazar was stunned by her behavior. Unfortunately, we are not. Currently, Rodriguez is still sitting in a jail cell.

"House Lions" Aren't Safe

This teenager is lucky to be alive. In 2022, a family with two "house lions," as the father called their XL bullies, killed both of their children -- Hollace and Lilly Bennard -- and critically injured their mother. When Salazar spoke about the child's mother, he said, "The parents knew that Miss Rodriguez had dogs, but they did not know that the dogs were problematic. I'm led to believe they would not have let her care for their baby...had they known these dogs were unsafe." House lions, generally, are unsafe.

Salazar also mentioned the "DA's office." Yes, it's the same DA's office -- Bexar County District Attorney's Office -- that recently prosecuted Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder in connection to the death of Ramon Najera. He was brutally killed by two pit bulls in February 2023. Our nonprofit just ran a 4-part series about the trial. Finally, Salazar said, "Animal Control doesn't answer to me or my agency." Our question to Salazar is why not? Perhaps BCSO should have a Vicious Dog Unit?

Various Clarifications

Salazar clarified that Rodriguez and her 13-year old daughter are not related to the victim, Jiryiah Johnson. Rodriguez lives in the home where the attack occurred. This is not the first time the victim was being babysat at the home (13:50). Rodriguez may face additional charges for the injuries her own daughter sustained. According to social media posts, Rodriguez and Reddick share children together and share the dogs, but only Reddick bills himself as a seller of XL bullies for Snowstorm Bullies.

According to online records from the Bexar County court system, Rodriguez was charged with one count of felony injury to child/elderly/disabled reckless; one count of abandoned/endanger child (imminent danger, bodily injury), a second-degree felony; and injury to child/elderly/disabled with intent for serious bodily injury, a first-degree felony. A defense attorney has been appointed to her. A special condition bond has been created: no possession of firearms, no alcohol, no contact order.

babysitters xl pit bulls - Scooby Doo male

Snowstorm's Scooby Doo is featured on Rodriguez's and Reddick's Facebook pages.

babysitters xl pit bulls - Pinky Pie female

Pinky Pie, the tri-colored female, always seen wearing a pink collar, is a sibling of Scooby Doo.

The mother of both, "Queen Monae," was acquired in 2020, had a litter in late 2021, which bore Scooby Doo and Pinky Pie, after being matched with Snowstorm's Oliver Winston.2

babysitters xl pit bulls - Snowstorm bullies Texas

All three dogs are seen in this video by Jason Reddick of "Snowstorm Bullies Texas" shot in the backyard of Rodriguez's home in the 9700 block of Spruce Ridge Drive near Converse.

1History repeats itself: The last time we read about paramedics having to go through an "upstairs window" to save a child from a vicious dog attack was 2014. That attack involved XL pit bull, "Niko," who was sired by the infamous, "UKC's Most Wanted Kimbo." Kimbo was well known to "spit HA in his offspring." (Human Aggression) The mother "barricaded" herself and her 4-year old daughter, Mia DeRouen, in an upstairs bedroom as the 130-pound pit bull attacked the door. She passed Mia to paramedics through a window. When the dog bolted out the front door, police shot 12-13 bullets into it. The attacking dog was categorized as a "monster" by Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis. The child died. The mother, Megan Touchet, refused to talk to police afterward. Kimbo is one of the "Godfather's of the XXL Movement" that became a foundation stock for the XL breeding community. The Kimbo bloodline is so notorious that the United Kingdom's XL Bully ban was partly based on it. The Telegraph reported on September 14, 2023, "Half of all XL Bully dogs in Britain descend from 'Killer Kimbo.'" The UK government announced the ban on September 15, 2023.
2The owner of Snowstorm Bullies, Shelton Snow, made a video of "Oliver Winston" with a child seen having a game of "tug-of-war" with the dog then pulling its tail, as well as the dog "play biting" her, calling Oliver a "Nani-dog," but Snow apparently did not know the correct spelling of "Nanny Dog," which is a long touted myth disseminated by pit bull owners, pit bull fanciers and fighting dog breeders. April 3, 2024 video (a reprisal) @snowstormbullies YouTube Snowstorm Bullies. Title: "American Bullies (aka. Nani-dogs)" Description: "Fact: American Bullies are also called Nani Dogs. 💪🏿🙌🏾" -- Original May 26, 2021 video @mbaaatc YouTube Shelton Snow. Title: "Oliver Winston and the baby." Description: "This video show how gentle Snowstorm Bullies are with kids. Snowstorm Bullies loves exercise. As you can see , this friendly game of tug and war, simply gives Oliver Winston all the exercise he needs with his baby sister. He is so gentle with her because he knows that she is a baby. Please enjoy." The irony. "Tug-of-war" and "babysitter."

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