Judge to sentence couple convicted of fatal dog attack on Friday

SAINT ANTONIO – More than a week after a couple testified at a sentencing hearing in connection with a fatal dog attack, a judge will announce their fate on Friday.

Rather than go to trial, Abilene Schnieder and Christian Moreno pleaded guilty to felony counts of deadly dog ​​attack, and the case moved directly to the sentencing phase.

Two of their dogs attacked and killed 81-year-old Ramon Najera and seriously injured his wife Janie.

Over the course of three days, 226th District Court Judge Velia Meza heard from more than 20 witnesses presented by the prosecution and defense.

The prosecution’s main witnesses were neighbors who had complained for years about Schnieder’s and Moreno’s dogs running loose and which had previously attacked two other people.

Janie Najera also testified and spoke about the attack.

The defense is seeking probation for both defendants, arguing Animal Care Services did not do enough and had some responsibility.

ACS quarantined the dogs for several weeks before the fatal attack, but the previous biting incident was not considered serious and the owners paid to release them after 10 days.

Schnieder and Moreno face up to 20 years in prison.

KSAT 12 will broadcast live the sentencing, which is expected to begin at approximately 1:30 p.m.

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