At a Glance
- Court
- 226th Judicial District Court, Bexar County, Texas
- Case Type
- Sentencing
- Parties
- State of Texas v. Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder
- Jurisdiction
- Bexar County, Texas
- Date
- 2024-09-20
- Status
- Sentenced
A San Antonio couple received substantial prison terms Sept. 20 after their pit bulls escaped their yard and killed an 81-year-old man, the Bexar County District Attorney's Office confirmed. NBC News reported that Christian Moreno was sentenced to 18 years and Abilene Schnieder to 15 years, for a combined 33 years, following the Feb. 24, 2023, fatal mauling of Ramon Najera near the defendants' west-side residence [1]. Najera's wife, Juanita Najera, was also injured in the attack [1].
The attack occurred while Ramon and Juanita Najera were running an errand near the defendants' residence. The Bexar County District Attorney's Office characterized the unprovoked attack as the direct result of the defendants' failure to secure their dogs with adequate fencing, leaving the animals free to roam without leashes or restraints [2]. Firefighters who arrived on scene found a bloodied man being dragged by the dogs and had to use pickaxes to fend off the animals, according to the city's fire chief [1]. Investigators determined the pit bulls were not wearing collars or harnesses, which had been a condition imposed by animal control authorities [3].
Moreno and Schnieder pleaded guilty Aug. 30 to attack by dog resulting in death [1]. The charge is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. An accompanying charge of recklessly causing injury to an elderly person was dismissed as part of a plea bargain with the Bexar County District Attorney's Office [4]. District Attorney Joe Gonzales said in a statement that the defendants' failure to act responsibly and secure their pit bulls resulted in injuries and the loss of a life [1].
226th District Court Judge Velia Meza imposed the sentences and assessed a combined $10,000 in fines [3]. Before imposing sentence, Judge Meza stated, "What happened to Mr. Najera was an unspeakable horror" [1]. If paroled, both Moreno and Schnieder are prohibited from owning or possessing dogs [1]. Because the charge of dangerous dog attack resulting in death is not classified as a serious or violent offense under Texas law, the defendants will be eligible for parole after serving 25% of their respective sentences [4].
Both defendants subsequently filed notices of appeal of their sentences. Defense attorneys argued at sentencing that the City of San Antonio had multiple prior opportunities to have the dogs processed as dangerous animals, which would have triggered euthanization requirements that Moreno and Schnieder could not have met financially [4]. Defense counsel indicated after sentencing that probation would have been an adequate punishment [4].
References
[1] NBC News. (2024, September 20). *Texas couple sentenced to prison after pit bulls killed 81-year-old man.* https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-couple-sentenced-prison-pit-pulls-killed-81-year-old-man-rcna172069
[2] Bexar County District Attorney's Office. (2024, September 20). *Defendants Sentenced for Fatal Dog Attack.* https://www.bexar.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1085
[3] News4SanAntonio. (2024, September 20). *Couple sentenced to 33 years combined in deadly pit bull attack on elderly man.* https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/sentencing-today-for-couple-in-deadly-pit-bull-attack-on-elderly-man-san-antonio-texas-police-investigation-dogs-elderly-injuries-hospital-ambulance
[4] KSAT. (2024, December 19). *Attorney for San Antonio woman sentenced in deadly dog attack on 81-year-old man files appeal.* https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/12/19/attorney-for-san-antonio-woman-sentenced-in-deadly-dog-attack-on-81-year-old-man-files-appeal/