At a Glance
- Case Type
- Criminal Indictment
- Jurisdiction
- United States (multiple states)
- Date
- 2023-08-22
- Status
- Pending
A new analysis of dog attack fatalities confirms a pattern that prosecutors and plaintiffs' attorneys have long cited in litigation: pit bulls are disproportionately involved in fatal incidents, and a growing number of those deaths are generating criminal charges against owners. The New York Times reported on August 22, 2023, drawing on incident data, that fatal dog attacks have risen in recent years and that pit bulls appear in a share of those cases far exceeding their representation in the overall dog population [1]. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, between 2020 and 2023 an average of approximately 84 people per year died from fatal human attacks by dogs in the United States, more than double the average from previous years [2].
The breed-specific numbers are stark. In the 15-year period from 2005 through 2019, canines killed 523 Americans; pit bulls contributed to 66 percent of those deaths, and combined with Rottweilers, the two breeds accounted for 76 percent of the total recorded fatalities [3]. More recently, pit bulls were responsible for approximately 66 percent of fatal dog attacks in 2023 [2]. Advocates for the breed, as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association, caution that raw breed statistics do not account for population size and that breed alone is not a reliable predictor of attack behavior [1][3]. The American Veterinary Medical Association has stated that statistics should not be used to infer breed-specific risk for dog bite fatalities without also noting the numbers of each breed residing in the United States [3].
The legal consequences for owners have grown more severe as prosecutors in multiple jurisdictions treat fatal maulings as criminal matters rather than civil ones. Only 20 percent of fatal dog attack cases resulted in criminal charges, but pit bulls were involved in 76 percent of those prosecutions [2]. In Texas, the February 2023 death of Ramon Najera, 81, in San Antonio produced felony charges against the two dogs' owners. Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder were later sentenced to 18 and 15 years respectively [3]. In Arizona, owners of three pit bull mixes that killed a 2-year-old child were charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a class 2 felony under state law [3]. In Arkansas, David Veasey of Blytheville faced charges after his three pit bulls fatally mauled 93-year-old Jeane Bennett; Veasey faced two counts of felony aggravated assault for use of a deadly weapon, two counts of an unlawful dog attack, and various violations of city ordinances [3].
The criminal exposure for owners varies considerably by state. In cases where charges are filed, there is almost always evidence that the owner knew the dog presented a grave danger, usually because the owner had trained the dog to fight or knew of previous unprovoked attacks; depending on circumstances and state law, an owner may be charged with anything from permitting a vicious dog to run loose to manslaughter or even murder [3]. Cases reflect a growing legal consensus: if an owner knows their dog is dangerous and fails to act, they can be held criminally responsible [3]. States including Michigan, Rhode Island, Florida, California, Texas, and Connecticut have enacted legislation that assigns owner liability specifically for dog bites [3][1].
The surge in fatalities also carries civil litigation implications. Victims of severe dog attacks often require $300,000 to one million dollars in specialized medical care, including reconstructive surgery that can span multiple procedures over several years [3]. In January 2025, family members of a 91-year-old Texas woman killed by her son's dogs filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Pharr, Texas seeking $100 million in damages [3]. As criminal and civil dockets accumulate cases tied to the same breed profile, the data reported by The New York Times positions the pit bull fatality trend as both a public safety question and an increasingly active area of tort and criminal law across jurisdictions nationwide [1].
References
[1] The New York Times. (2023, August 22). Fatal Dog Attacks Are Rising. Pit Bulls Are Most Often Involved. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/us/fatal-dog-attack-pit-bull-statistics.html
[2] World Animal Foundation. (2026). Dog Bite Statistics & Dog Attacks By Breed 2026. https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/dog-bite-statistics/
[3] DogsBite.org. (2024). 2023 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs; Felony Dog Attack Laws; DogsBite Blog Archives. https://blog.dogsbite.org/2024/01/2023-fatal-dog-attack-breed-identification-photographs.html