Owner arrested after deadly dog attack kills elderly man, injures three others
SAN ANTONIO — One of the owners of the three dogs has been arrested Friday night after one man died and three others were injured.
Three dogs were involved in a vicious and deadly attack on an elderly couple.
Two of the dogs were euthanized Friday night, and the other was euthanized Saturday morning. They will now be tested for rabies.
81-year-old Ramon Najeras died and an elderly woman is in critical condition at University Hospital after a brutal dog attack that happened Friday afternoon.
According to authorities on the scene, the incident happened around 1:40 p.m. near the 2800 block of Depla Street on San Antonio's West Side.
The San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood shared that the couple was visiting a relative's home when they were stepping out of their vehicle when the dogs attacked.
A crew of firefighters was able to make it to the scene when the attack was happening. The crew saw the man being dragged by one of the dogs and the woman being attacked.
One firefighter grabbed a pipe pole and the other grabbed an ax. The crew attempted to get the animals off the victims and the fire captain on the scene was bitten in the leg.
Police say that the dogs belonged to a neighbor and were outside the property.
Once authorities were able to capture the dogs, EMS gave blood to the elderly man on scene and transported him to the hospital where he later passed. The woman is in critical condition at the hospital as well.
Animal Care Services Director Shannon Sims confirmed that the breed of the two dogs was American Staffordshire Terriers.
ACS confirms that there have been numerous calls in the past regarding these dogs. On November 6, 2022, The San Antonio Police Department responded to a dog-related call relating to the same property.
An officer spoke to the owner of the dogs and told the owner that the dogs must be kept in the yard. At least two of the dogs have been involved in a pair of confirmed bite cases in the past including one in January of this year and another in September of 2021.
Other calls made by neighbors within the past two years were concerns about animal neglect and aggression. The City of San Antonio is reviewing any related 911 and 311 call history associated with this area.
On Monday, ACS told us the dogs appear to be connected to some of the other calls made in the area, along with a fourth dog who has since passed away.
Neighbors said Friday's attack isn't the first time the dogs have been aggressive. Now, they're asking what it will take to fix the concerns they have.
“What’s it going to take next we have a lot of elderly people and dogs and kids walk our neighborhoods all the time and just for them to get bit for doing nothing,” Deborah Flores said.
Flores lives the street over from where the attack happened. Officials said the dogs broke out of a front gate.
Flores said those same dogs are seen on her surveillance camera about a month ago.
City officials confirm at least two of the dogs were involved in that case in January 2023 and in another case in September 2021.
“Their dogs used to jump my fence from the back alley and I said, ‘hey your dogs are jumping my fence’ and he would say ‘Oh, I’m sorry’,” Flores said.
Shannon Sims with ACS said there have been calls about the dogs over the past two years.
He explains why they weren't removed.
“Those bites were mild. So those animals finished their state required quarantine and the owner played paid reclaim fees and by state law, we were required to return those animals,” Sims said.
Some neighbors said they can't afford to wait much longer for changes.
“I want to do something change the laws so that these types of animals have some type of restrictions,” Silvia Hernandez said.
Hernandez adds she's previously called 311 or 911 because of the dogs.
She adds her son has also previously been attacked by the dogs.
“I don’t know what if you see the video I have it was terrible being there and not being able to do anything,” Hernandez said.
One thing everyone in this neighborhood wants is accountability.
“Take responsibility. Take responsibility. Your dogs killed somebody and the other lady at hurt is in critical condition,” Flores said.
Multiple charges are pending and Animal Care Services are working with SAPD on the investigation.
Councilwoman Teri Castillo, District 5, gave us a direct statement regarding the incident below.
“With a heavy heart, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family of the individual who tragically lost their life today. I wish the individual who is currently being treated at University Hospital and the fire fighter who sustained an injury a speedy recovery. And, to those who are now grieving over this tragic event, we are sending strength to the neighbors who may need emotional support after witnessing this horrific event.
After hearing about the incident, we walked the scene and heard from neighbors in the area. Many residents expressed safety concerns in the neighborhood specifically identifying stray and aggressive pets. As we continue to have discussions around a holistic public safety approach, tragedies like this one should serve as a reminder that we must adequately invest in Animal Care Services. ACS concerns are public safety concerns and should be handled as such. Our neighborhoods deserve safe streets free of aggressive animals, which is why we must responsibly fund ACS with future City budgets.
I would like to thank the emergency responders who arrived at the scene as soon as they could. For anyone who would like to reach our office please call 210.207.7085.
San Antonio Animal Care Services and San Antonio Police released the following statement:
San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS) and the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) are investigating a dog attack that killed an 81-year-old victim and injured three others this afternoon. The incident occurred just before 2 p.m. in the 28 hundred block of Depla street off Highway 90 and Cupples road.
About the incident:
Preliminary information indicates the victim and a female companion were visiting a relative’s home when at least two American Staffordshire Terriers attacked them as they stepped out of their vehicle, resulting in multiple injuries to both. Witnesses indicate the dogs had broken through the front gate of their nearby home just before the incident. The couple’s relative also sustained a bite during the attack as did a SAFD captain. All four victims were transported to the hospital where the older male victim succumbed to his injuries. The other victims remain under medical care.
Animal Care Services has identified three owned dogs either directly involved in the attack or who were off property at the time. All three dogs are in SAACS custody and will be euthanized tonight.
Calls for service:
On November 6, 2022, The San Antonio Police Department responded to a dog related call relating to this property. An officer responded on the scene and spoke to the owner of the dogs. The officer told the owner that the dogs must be kept in the yard.
At least two of the dogs have been involved in a pair of confirmed bite cases in the past including one in January of this year and another in September of 2021. The injuries were moderate or mild and the dogs successfully completed the State required quarantine before their owners reclaimed them. Individuals involved declined to file a dangerous dog designation. A dangerous dog designation requires owners to keep the dogs in a secure enclosure, purchase a $100,000 liability insurance policy, special warning signage, be muzzled when outside, be spay/neutered and be subject to annual inspections.
Multiple charges are pending in connection to today’s incident and Animal Care Services is working with SAPD on the investigation.
The City of San Antonio is reviewing any related 911 and 311 call history associated with this area.
Resources for residents:
The City of San Antonio’s SA CORE team (a City team made up of a mental health clinician, EMS and SAPD) has been deployed to the neighborhood to provide counseling and support to area neighbors.
To report a dangerous animal, please call 311 (210-207-6000). If the animal poses an immediate threat to life, please call 911.
Please call 3-1-1 if you have an Animal Control request or go to this LINK to view recent requests on the San Antonio map.
