Dog owners sentenced by judge in deadly west-side dog attack

SAN ANTONIO — The owners of two pit bulls who attacked and mauled an 81-year-old man to death in February of 2023 were sentenced by a judge Friday.

Christian Moreno received a sentence of 18 years in prison and Abilene Schnieder sentenced to 15 years in prison. They both received a $5,000 fine and are prevented from owning a dog in the future.

The dog owners were arrested after the mauling in a west-side neighborhood last year. San Antonio authorities said Ramon Najera and his wife, Juanita, were arriving to visit relatives when the dogs got loose from a nearby property and attacked.

Fire crews who responded to the scene observed Ramon Najera "being dragged by a dog (and) completely bloody" upon arriving.

Back in August, both Moreno and Schnieder pleaded guilty to the charges after reportedly reaching a plea deal with the prosecution. Arguments were heard at a punishment hearing on Sept. 9 ahead of Friday's sentencing.

The proceedings were overseen by Judge Velia J. Meza of the 226th Criminal District Court.

The prosecution was seeking the maximum sentence of 20 years. Family members of Najera gave their victims-impact statements after the sentencing was handed down. His wife, Juanita, spoke emotionally in court about the affect her husband's death has had on her and her adult children. She said her son, a retired Marine, had to put his life on hold to take care of her after Najera's death.

"All my financial needs, he helped me with everything. He also provided meals for me. To this day, my daughter, Anna, she is still helping me," Juanita Najera said in court.