A tragic incident unfolded in Southern California when a pack of stray dogs fatally attacked a woman. The attack took place near Perris Hill Park in San Bernardino, where the dogs set upon 51-year-old Teodora Mendoza. Despite being rushed to a local hospital with severe facial injuries, Mendoza sadly did not survive her injuries. The attack, which involved more than a dozen dogs, occurred around 5 p.m. on a Thursday.
As police arrived at the scene, they found the victims roughly 30 yards apart. During the rescue operation, a pit bull from the pack charged at an officer, who was forced to shoot and kill the dog in self-defense. Araceli Mata, a spokesperson for the Police Department, confirmed that 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 subsequently sealed off with crime scene tape, and remnants of discarded clothing marked the site of the horrific attack.
The area where the attack took place is known to be a dwelling place for homeless individuals, many of whom keep unleashed dogs for protection. Mendoza’s son, Alex Lozano, disclosed that his mother often resided in a homeless encampment in the park. Mendoza had been living without a home for over a year, splitting her time between San Bernardino and Banning.
Lozano, who currently lives in Banning, had not been in contact with his mother for a while. He was informed about the attack by his grandfather in Texas, who told him that his mother had been attacked by pit bulls.
In the aftermath of the incident, animal services removed fourteen dogs from the park. According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, California has the highest number of insurance claims for dog bites, with 2,104 claims in 2023. The state also holds the record for the highest average dog bite claim cost, at $78,818.