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Couple charged in deadly dog attack case plead guilty ahead of trial

Christian Moreno, Abilene Schnieder charged with dangerous dog attack resulting in death and injury to the elderly

SAN ANTONIO – A couple charged in a deadly dog attack from 2023 pleaded guilty on Tuesday instead of going to trial next month.

Christian Moreno and Abilene Schnieder are both charged in the deadly dog attack that killed 81-year-old Ramon Najera and severely injured his wife.

The two were both charged with dangerous dog attack resulting in death and injury to the elderly.

San Antonio police said a pack of dogs escaped their yard in the 2800 block of Depla St. and were roaming free when they attacked Ramon Najera, 81, on Feb. 24, 2023. (Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.)

Najera and his wife were visiting a friend in a West Side neighborhood on Feb. 24, 2023, when they were attacked by two of the couple’s dogs who were out of their yard.

Ramon Najera died of his injuries.

Ramon Najera, 81, died after he was attacked by dogs on Feb. 24, 2023. (Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.)

Moreno and Schnieder were expected to go to trial with jury selection to take place Aug. 30, but because they pleaded guilty, the judge will schedule a sentencing hearing for Sept. 9, with sentencing to be announced on Sept. 20.

The state is seeking the maximum punishment of 20 years in prison while the defense is seeking 10 years probation.

You can watch the hearing that occurred Tuesday below:


About the Authors
Erica Hernandez headshot

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.

Misael Gomez headshot

Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987.

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