The owners of the dogs that killed 81-year-old veteran Ramon Najera and severely injured his wife in 2023 were sentenced to prison in court on Friday.
Christian Moreno was sentenced to 18 years and his wife Abilene Schnieder, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for failing to restrain their dangerous dogs, causing an attack that led to death, and causing bodily injury to the elderly.
Najera was killed in February 2023 after two dogs attacked him and his wife Juanita Najera on the West Side. Two others were also injured. The pitbulls involved in the killing had bitten others before.
Moreno and Schnieder must each pay a $5,000 fine and are prohibited from owning any dogs if granted parole. Tjry also must have no contact with Depla Street and Darby Boulevard, where the deadly mauling occurred.
“What happened to Mr. Najera was an unspeakable horror that’s going to resonate in our community for a very long time,” said Bexar County District Judge Velia Meza. “Unlike other cases I have presided over, this one is different. We’re not dealing with an intentional act … it was a case of criminally negligent behavior.”
During the three-day sentencing hearing, the city testified it could not require the owner follow certain safety measures because previous victims had declined to file additional paperwork with Animal Care Services.
But residents from the West Side neighborhood who testified made the city’s testimony “difficult to believe,” Meza said.
“What I do believe is the people from the West Side neighborhood,” she said. “The City of San Antonio is not on trial here and they will have their day in court and their lawsuit to contend with, but in this case, I will say, it’s not about a missing affidavit.”
Several local state representatives including Elizabeth “Liz” Campos, Josey Garcia and José Menéndez, tried to change the law by allowing Animal Care Services to launch an investigation on its own, without the need for an affidavit or sworn statement, but Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed the bill in June 2023.
“This was preventable. If the first line of defense fails because the dog owners are not responsible, the second line of defense shall not have failed,” Meza said.
The couple, both 32, will be eligible for parole after serving one-fourth of their sentences.
Juanita Najera, gave a tearful impact statement after the sentencing on Friday afternoon.
“You took my husband’s life. I feel that you are serving what you deserve for the crime you committed indirectly. It happened, but you could have prevented it,” she said shouting at the couple who remained frozen without reactions as she sobbed. “Right now, there should be someone sitting next to you guys. It should be the city because they’re guilty, too.”
