The Bexar County District Attorney’s Office reported that a Texas couple was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison every Friday after their pit bulls ran amok and killed an 81-year-old man in the previous year.
For the mauling that occurred on February 24, 2023, close to their San Antonio home, Christian Moreno received an 18-year jail term and Abilene Schnieder received a 15-year sentence.
In the attack, Ramon Najera, 81, lost his life while his wife, Juanita Najera, suffered injuries. While the Najeras were doing errands nearby, the dogs broke loose and attacked them, according to officials.
Judge Velia J. Meza of the 226th District Court stated, “What happened to Mr. Najera was an unspeakable horror,” before to issuing the punishment.
When firemen arrived on the scene, they discovered a bleeding guy being pulled by dogs around a corner. The city’s fire chief stated at the time that the firefighters had to repel the dogs with pickaxes.
At the time of the attack, Animal Care Services stated that the three canines that were either off their property or participating in the attack had been put to death.
According to the district attorney’s office, Moreno and Schnieder committed criminal negligence by failing to erect sufficient fencing and permitting the animals to go wild.
On Friday, Juanita Najera informed the court that she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, according to courtroom footage shown by a news outlet.
“I would never have imagined I’d be calling myself a widow at this time in my life, and in this tragic way,” she stated. “PTSD is now something I will have to deal with the rest of my life. Extreme loneliness and emptiness will also be a part of my life.”
She raised her palm to her mouth and sobbed, saying, “You both took a big part of my life away. You took my better half away.” At the time of the incident, authorities stated that there had been prior reports about the home’s aggressive and unrestrained dogs.
On August 30, Moreno and Schnieder entered a guilty plea to dog attack resulting in death.
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“This unfortunate tragedy was preventable. The defendants’ failure to act responsibly and secure their pit bulls resulted in injuries and the loss of a life,” Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales stated.
Moreno and Schnieder are not allowed to keep or have dogs if they are granted parole.
“Mr. Moreno, Ms. Schnieder, this is about responsible dog ownership,” the judge stated. “It involves not only taking care of your dog, but ensuring the safety of the people in our neighborhoods, in our communities.”
