Tragedy struck on San Antonio's West Side when a pair of raging pit bulls claimed the life of 81-year-old Ramon Najera and left his wife in critical condition. According to News 4 San Antonio, the elderly couple were attacked as they emerged from their vehicle near the 2800 block of Depla Street. Witness reports state the dogs busted through a front gate before commencing their vicious assault.
Amid the chaos on Feb. 24, the San Antonio Fire Department crews arrived at the scene to find Najera being dragged by one dog and his wife under attack by another. In a valiant effort to save the couple, firefighters armed with an ax and a pipe pole, bravely intervened but not without injury—one fire captain was bitten in the leg. Even after emergency medical services administered blood to Najera on the scene, he later passed away at the hospital, with the other victims remaining under medical care.
The owners of the dogs, Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder, are now facing charges related to the fatal mauling. A report by FOX San Antonio details that the couple is accused of failing to secure their pit bulls, with a mandatory pre-trial hearing set. A third individual, Destiny Marie Cardona, was arrested for retaliation against a witness to the deadly incident.
This wasn't the first time these dogs had shown aggression. Shannon Sims, Director of Animal Care Services, told News 4 San Antonio, "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." Numerous calls had been made previously about the violent behavior of the dogs, raising questions about ACS policies and the safety of the community.
In the aftermath of the attack, neighborhood residents are demanding action and stronger laws to prevent such incidents. "Take responsibility. Take responsibility. Your dogs killed somebody and the other lady at hurt is in critical condition," Deborah Flores expressed, echoing the community's call for accountability. Councilwoman Teri Castillo recognized the incident as a stark reminder of the need to invest in Animal Care Services, as ACS concerns are deeply intertwined with public safety concerns.
