In the 15-year period of 2005 through 2019, canines killed 521 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (346) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »
A pair of German shepherds killed their 91-year old female owner in Chehalis.
Dogs Kill Owner
Chehalis, WA - On Friday, the Lewis County Sheriff's Office issued a press release about a fatal dog mauling. On September 25, around 2:30 pm, deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of River Road for a report of a dog bite. "When they arrived, they discovered the victim had been attacked by two of her own German Shepherds, resulting in major trauma to both of her lower arms," states the release. The attack occurred inside the residence. She died during the Life Flight.
Press Release: River Road Dog attack
Deputies are investigating a dog attack which occurred inside a residence in the 400 block of River Road in Chehalis on Wednesday afternoon. At around 2:30 p.m., aid personnel and deputies were dispatched to a dog bite of a 91-year-old female. When they arrived, they discovered the victim had been attacked by two of her own German Shepherds, resulting in major trauma to both of her lower arms. The victim was transported by aid personnel to the Adna High School to meet Life Flight, and later passed away on the flight to the hospital.
The following day deputies met with the co-owner of the two involved dogs who voluntarily turned the dogs over to law enforcement to be euthanized.
Anyone having possible information about the incident is encouraged to call the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office at (360) 748-9286, or Lewis County Communications at (360) 740-1105. - Lewis County Sheriff's Office, September 27, 2024
There are not many homes in the 400 block of River Road. There is one, however, where a 91-year old woman resides. In 2007, she survived flooding waters inside her Chehalis River property. At that time, she was an American Kennel Club judge and breeder of American Foxhounds. Some of her dogs were swept away. The flooding event occurred on December 3, 2007. The title of the final report is, "INCIDENT: The River Explodes Sending A 18-Foot Wall Of Water Through West Lewis County."
This same woman came under scrutiny in 2012, when more than 60 foxhounds were seized from her property. Many of the dogs were wading in water, feces and urine, reports The Chronicle. "A search warrant for [the] property, on the 400 block of River Road outside of Doty, was granted after she refused to allow investigators to enter the building on her property where the dogs were housed, according to the release." The woman admitted to investigators that her place was "out of control."
Address of Victim Confirmed
Audio dispatch log files from Centralia and Chehalis Fire Dispatch confirm the address in the 400 block of River Road they responded to on September 25 for an animal bite is where Nancy Ann Punches, 91, resides. Punches was killed by her two German shepherds. Police have not released the victim's name. Punches has a long history in the area, including being a breeder of American Foxhounds, surviving the cataclysmic 2007 Chehalis River flood, and being charged with 65 counts of animal cruelty in 2012.
A pair of German shepherds killed their 91-year old female owner in Chehalis, Washington.
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.
A 72-year old man died after being attacked by his own dog in Dunklin County.
Man Killed by Dog
Cardwell, MO - A 72-year old man is dead after being attacked by one of his own dogs. On Wednesday, around 3:41 pm, deputies were dispatched to 203 West Mulberry Street in Cardwell in response to an animal call. A "72 year male had fallen to the ground and could not get up and had been attacked by a dog," states a press release from Dunklin County Sheriff Bob Holder. Medics arrived first but "were unable to get access to the victim due to the presence of multiple aggressive dogs."
Arriving deputies observed a reddish-brown dog on top of the victim, and its snout was covered in blood. As deputies approached the victim, "the dog suddenly charged them and in response to an immediate threat the officer fired his weapon with bullets striking and killing the dog." The victim was identified as Jimmy Miller. He sustained multiple injuries consistent with a dog attack, "including severe lacerations to his arms, face, and throat along with a significant amount of blood loss."
His wife said she tried to help him get back up but was unable to. "Within seconds one of their dogs which she described as a big brown one came over to her husband and began attacking him while he was on the ground." She said, "the dog was biting him all over his arms, face and neck causing him to lose a lot of blood." He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Dunklin County Coroner took charge of removing the man's body. It's unclear which agency "took charge" of removing the dog's carcass.
"On September 25th at approximately 15:41 hours the Dunklin County Sheriffs deputies were dispatched to 203 W. Mulberry Street in Cardwell, MO in response to an animal related call. Information provided to deputies was that a 72 year male had fallen to the ground and could not get up and had been attacked by a dog and he appeared to be unresponsive.
While deputies were en-route Dunklin County Communications updated the deputies with information that first responders were on scene but were unable to get access to the victim due to the presence of multiple aggressive dogs. It was also reported that the victim appeared to be deceased. Upon officer arrival they observed a reddish-brown mixed-breed dog on top of the victim and the dogs snout was covered in blood.
The deputies began to approach the victim and while doing so the dog began to growl As the deputies drew closer the dog suddenly charged them and in response to an immediate threat the officer fired his weapon with bullets striking and killing the dog. After the dog was deceased the victim was attended to and he was identified as Jimmy Miller. Mr. Miller had sustained multiple injuries consistent with a dog attach, including severe lacerations to his arms, face, and throat along with a significant amount of blood loss. Medic One personnel were on scene and after scene was secured they confirmed victim's condition as being deceased. . According to His wife she tried to assist him in getting up but was unable to do so by herself. Within seconds one of their dogs which she described as a big brown one came over to her husband and began attacking him while he was on the ground. She stated the dog was biting Mr. Miller all over his arms, face and neck causing him to loose a lot of blood.
Dunklin County Coroner was called and he took charge of the removal of the body." - Sheriff Bob Holder, Dunklin County Sheriff's Office
It is unknown how many dogs were on the property, but medics could not access the victim due to "the presence of multiple aggressive dogs." One social media comment we saw indicated the victim rescued dogs, and there were many of them on the property. "The owner had many rescue dogs some in his fence and some that were loose." The victim also appeared to be a "dog collector." The Google Street view of the property is over a decade old. It is unknown what the property looks like today.
One commenter indicated the victim had many rescue dogs on his Mulberry Street property.
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.
Leslie McCray was killed by a pit bull dog on September 22, her daughter says.
Daughter's Tweet
Conway, SC - We were alerted today about a GoFundMe for Leslie McCray, about 56-years old, that was organized by her daughter Lakindra McCray, both living in Conway. "We just lost our mom Leslie McCray and we are grieving," Lakindra wrote. "We need help raising up the funds to have her funeral and bury her in peace." On Lakindra's X account, she stated on September 24, "I just lost my mom to a pitbull dog attack and we didn't had no insurance on her. I have set up a go fund me page..."
She Tweeted a similar message on September 25. "Well I just losted my mother on September 22, 2024 and she died due to a pitbull dog attack. We didn't get to had insurance on her in time so we have to come up with the money to burial her. I did set up a go fund me page." More announcements about her mother's passing and photographs in her memory are located on Lakindra's Facebook page. Nothing else is known at this time. Our nonprofit reached out to a veteran journalist in the region.
Not a Family Dog
According to a recent Tweet by Lakindra, this was not a family dog. She stated on September 26, "We got a case investigation going on now. We have a clue who the owner is but need more people to speak up and talk." Horry County is a southeast county that sits along the Atlantic Ocean. Right now, Hurricane Helene is wreaking havoc on this region, making landfall Thursday night, but will then turn west. With a major event like this, there may be no news media teams available that can help her.
According to the victim's Facebook page, she resided in Conway, South Carolina.
On September 26, she stated that an investigation had started; they are seeking the owner.
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.
Judge Sentences Both Owners to Over 10 Years in Prison After Fatal Dog Mauling
Prosecution presents closing arguments to 226th District Court Judge Velia Meza.
Judge Issues Sentences UPDATE 09/20/24: On Friday, September 20, 2024, 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 over 10-years in prison in connection to the death of 81-year old Ramon Najera. Charges of recklessly causing injury to an elderly person, his wife Janie Najera, were dismissed in August when the couple pleaded guilty, whereby avoiding a trial.
Judge Meza asked the defendants to stand before she read her sentence. Meza then sentenced Moreno to 18 years of confinement and Schnieder to 15 years of confinement in connection to their pit bulls killing Ramon, calling the attack "an unspeakable horror that is going to resonate in our community for a very long time." The dogs had bitten three people leading up to the February 24, 2023 fatal mauling. After each bite victim, the owners paid fees to have their dogs returned to them.
Judge Meza issued the longest sentence our nonprofit has ever seen under the Texas felony dog attack statute that was enacted in 2007. The offense is a second-degree felony and punishable by up to 20 years. After the judge ruled, Moreno and Schnieder were handcuffed. Janie then gave a powerful victim impact statement. Janie agreed with the judge's ruling, calling it "adequate punishment", but also believed "the city should be there sitting next to you guys because they are guilty too."
"What happened to Mr. Najera was an unspeakable horror that is going to resonate in our community for a very long time. Unlike any other cases I have presided over, this one is different. It is different because we are not dealing with an intentional act. We are not dealing with a drive by shooting or any other type of murder. It was a case of criminally negligent behavior.
On the one hand, we have the city of San Antonio Animal Care Services swearing under oath, giving testimony that left me with the impression that this was about a 'missing affidavit.' That none of the previous bite victims came forward to declare the dogs 'dangerous dogs.' After hearing from the neighbors on Depla and Darby Street, I find the testimony I heard from the city of San Antonio very difficult to believe. What I do believe is the people from the West Side neighborhood. I find the testimony of David Avila, Fernando Esparza, Deborah Flores, Silvia Avila, not only credible, but very persuasive and compelling.
The city of San Antonio is not on trial here. They will have their day in court, and their lawsuit to contend with. But about this case, what I do have to say is that it's not about a 'missing affidavit.' Clearly our city has a lot of work to do to provide services to deal with responsible dog ownership. To echo what most, if not all the witnesses testified to, this was preventable. If the first line of defense fails because dog owners are not responsible, the second line of defense should not have failed.
Mr. Moreno, Mrs. Schnieder, this is about responsible dog ownership. It involves not only taking care of your dog but insuring the safety of the people in our neighborhoods, in our communities. Not only the people, but other pets in the neighborhood and communities. We all have that responsibility to each other, and you failed at that.
Mr. Moreno, it is the order of the Court that you will be sentenced to 18 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division. There is a $5,000 fine. No restitution -- the victim has not requested restitution. You are prohibited from owning or possessing 'any' dogs if you make parole on this case. This is a plea bargain case, however, you have the right to appeal...
Mrs. Schnieder, your sentence is 15 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division. There is a $5,000 fine. No restitution -- because Mrs. Najera does not want it. You too are prohibited from owning or possessing 'any' dogs if you make parole. Both of you are also ordered to have no contact with Depla Street and Darby Street. Yours is also a plea bargain case. However, you have a right to appeal..." - District Court Judge Velia Meza, September 20, 2024
09/19/24: The State's Closing Arguments
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, followed by SAPD Officer Jesse Mendez, who was one of the first to arrive on the scene. Our last video in this series are the closing arguments by Bexar County prosecutor Raul Jordan, who walks through the "Negligence Timeline" and even points out the old scarring wounds on the pit bulls.
Jordan begins by declaring that the dog owners, Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder,1 showed "conscious indifference" to the dangers their dogs posed to the public. There were three previous bites leading up to the fatal attack, along with numerous neighbors confronting them about their aggressive dogs. During this period, prior to the deadly mauling, Moreno and Schnieder plastered a sign on their home that read: "Fuck you Cops, CPS, Mayor, Callers!!!! Suck a dick and go 2 hell."
Jordan also addresses the defense's argument that because the defendants are "poor" they used their pit bulls as a "security system." During the period of the previous bites, September 2021 to January 2023, the couple at times did not have electricity or running water, and dog feces were found smeared on the floors of their home. Yet, they always managed to come up with hundreds in cash to get their dogs out of impound ($1,000 total). "It doesn't make sense," Jordan said. "It's just so suspicious."
"Where are they getting the money? Why are they getting these dogs out of custody?" the prosecutor asked the court. "It's just so suspicious."
The maximum penalty under the Texas felony dog attack statute is 20 years in prison. "That is exactly what the state is asking for, 20 years," Jordan told the court. "We believe that every single one of those years is well-deserved." Extenuating circumstances include the judge weighing the defense's argument that the city of San Antonio could have processed these dogs as "dangerous dogs" due to their repeated bite history, which would have led to them being euthanized before the fatal attack.
During prosecution closing arguments, the state showed old scar wounds on pit bull "King."
1During Schnieder's police interview, she called the fatal dog mauling a "freak accident," a term that has been employed by pit bull owners after their dog kills someone since the 1980s. “This was a freak accident, this was not something we caused,” she said. “Like Shamu at Sea World, nobody expected it to kill its trainer." That was an ill-fated comparison, given that captive killer whale "Tilikum" had killed two people prior to killing trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010.
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