A fatal dog attack in Southern California has left a woman dead and another injured. The incident occurred near Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino, where a pack of stray dogs attacked 51-year-old Teodora Mendoza. Mendoza was rushed to a local hospital with severe facial injuries but succumbed to her wounds. The attack, which involved over a dozen dogs, took place around 5 p.m. on Thursday.
While police were attending to the victims, who were found approximately 30 yards apart, a pit bull from the pack charged at an officer. The officer responded by shooting and killing the dog. According to Police Department spokesperson Araceli Mata, the officer fired two rounds to protect himself and the woman he was assisting.
Sgt. Chris Gray of the San Bernardino Police Department described the scene as chaotic due to the presence of multiple dogs. The area was cordoned off with crime scene tape, and discarded clothing was visible at the site of the attack.
The area where the attack occurred is known to be inhabited by homeless individuals, many of whom keep unleashed dogs for protection. Mendoza’s son, Alex Lozano, revealed that his mother often stayed in a homeless encampment in the park. Mendoza had been homeless for over a year and typically divided her time between San Bernardino and Banning.
Lozano, who now resides in Banning, had not spoken to his mother for some time. He learned about the attack from his grandfather in Texas, who informed him that his mother had been attacked by pit bulls.
Following the incident, animal services removed fourteen dogs from the park. California has the highest number of insurance claims for dog bites, with 2,104 claims in 2023, according to data from the Insurance Information Institute. The state also has the highest average dog bite claim cost, at $78,818.