At a Glance
- Case Type
- Criminal Indictment
- Parties
- Texas v. Christian Alexander Moreno; Texas v. Abilene Schnieder
- Jurisdiction
- Bexar County, Texas
- Date
- 2023-02-24
- Status
- Sentenced
Two American Staffordshire terriers escaped a residential property in San Antonio, Texas, on the afternoon of Feb. 24, 2023, and attacked four people, killing one and sending three others to the hospital. CNN first reported the incident and the subsequent arrest of a suspect, citing San Antonio police [1]. The victim killed in the attack was identified as Ramon Najera, 81, and his wife, Juanita Najera, was among the injured [2].
San Antonio authorities said the couple were arriving to visit relatives when the dogs got loose from a nearby property and attacked [3]. The couple had just stepped out of a vehicle when at least two of the dogs breached a gate and charged them. The first fire rescue crew on scene saw a bloodied man being dragged around a corner by a dog. First responders fended off the animals using pickaxes and pike poles [2]. Two additional people were bitten, one on a hand and the other, a city fire department captain, on a leg, San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said at a news conference [2].
Christian Alexander Moreno, 31, was charged with multiple felonies, including "attack by dangerous dog resulting in death" and "injury to an elderly person by omission or negligence," according to a police news release [3]. According to CNN, Moreno was the registered owner of the dogs at the time of the attack [1]. His co-defendant, Abilene Schnieder, was also arrested and charged with dangerous dog attack resulting in death and injury to an elderly person [4]. The Bexar County District Attorney's Office alleged that Moreno and Schnieder were criminally negligent by failing to provide adequate fencing and allowing the animals to roam free [2].
Investigators said the pit bulls escaped through a hole in the fence. According to the arrest report, witness video showed the dogs were not wearing collars or harnesses, which Animal Control Services had required as a condition of returning the animals to the couple [4]. Police said they also received tips that Moreno and Schnieder "have been breeding the dogs and training the dogs to be aggressive with meat" [4]. The dogs involved in the attack, as well as a third dog from the same household that was found unrestricted, were taken in by San Antonio Animal Care Services and euthanized [3].
In August 2024, both Moreno and Schnieder pleaded guilty to the charges after reportedly reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors [3]. Christian Moreno was subsequently sentenced to 18 years in prison and Abilene Schnieder to 15 years in prison for the Feb. 24, 2023, mauling [2]. Both also received a $5,000 fine and are barred from owning a dog in the future [3]. If paroled, Moreno and Schnieder are prohibited from owning or possessing dogs [2].
References
[1] CNN. (2023, February 25). *Video captures moment first responders confronted dogs after fatal attack.* https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2023/02/25/texas-fatal-dog-attack-suspect-arrested-affil-contd-vpx.ksat
[2] 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
[3] KENS5. (2024, September 20). *Dog owners sentenced by judge in deadly west-side dog attack.* https://www.kens5.com/article/news/crime/deadly-west-side-dog-attack-sentencing-moreno-schnieder/273-df729438-6b60-4a7b-b802-6d05118709fa
[4] News4SanAntonio. (2024, August 29). *San Antonio couple pleads guilty in fatal pit bull attack case.* https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/san-antonio-couple-pleads-guilty-in-fatal-dog-attack-case-texas-investigation-court-judge-police-dogs