Jogger in California brutally attacked by dozen aggressive dogs, leaving a teenage girl severely injured
In the small town of Newberry Springs, California, the community is reeling from a shocking incident involving a 17-year-old girl named Tracy Azpeitia. Two weeks ago, Tracy was attacked by 16 large breed dogs that were not leashed or fenced, leaving her with injuries so severe that her own mother could not recognize her.
Under California's strict liability laws, dog owners are held responsible for any injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of the dog's previous behaviour or the owner's negligence. This law, outlined in Civil Code § 3342, has come into focus following this incident.
Tracy, who was preparing to start her senior year of high school, has since been released from Loma Linda Children's Hospital, but she cannot walk on her own. The trauma of the attack has left her unable to sleep at night and haunted by nightmares.
In response to this incident, a GoFundMe has been set up by Tracy's family to help with her recovery and ongoing medical care. The dogs involved in the attack are currently being housed at the Barstow Humane Society.
The attack on Tracy is not an isolated incident. Just two weeks later, a separate fatal mauling occurred in San Bernardino. The dogs in both cases were believed to be strays, potentially linked to homeless encampments or irresponsible breeding.
This has led to increased community awareness and regulatory enforcement. Officials are now focusing on stray, abandoned, or inadequately controlled dogs in rural areas like Newberry Springs. The community and authorities are working together to address these regulatory challenges and ensure the safety of its residents.
Following the attack, a total of 16 dogs were seized from the area by San Bernardino County Animal Control. These dogs are now under investigation, and their fate remains uncertain.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible dog ownership and the consequences of failing to adhere to the regulations in place. California law mandates strict owner liability and requires dogs to be properly fenced or leashed to prevent them from roaming freely and potentially causing harm.
As the community continues to heal, it is hoped that this incident will lead to increased awareness and stricter enforcement of these regulations, ensuring the safety of all residents in California.
[1] California Civil Code § 3342: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=CIV§ionNum=3342 [2] San Bernardino Sun: https://www.sbsun.com/2021/08/08/16-dogs-seized-from-newberry-springs-home-after-teen-attacked/ [3] The Press Enterprise: https://www.pe.com/2021/08/10/teen-attacked-by-16-dogs-in-newberry-springs-released-from-hospital/ [4] ABC7: https://abc7.com/teen-attacked-by-16-dogs-newberry-springs-california/10871249/ [5] NBC Los Angeles: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/teen-attacked-by-16-dogs-in-california-released-from-hospital/2448206/
- The attack on Tracy in Newberry Springs has sparked a conversation about mental-health support, as she struggles to cope with the trauma of the incident.
- As concern for public safety grows, ‘general-news’ outlets have reported on the stricter enforcement of California's ‘science’-based leash and fencing laws for dogs, with a focus on rural areas.
- Amidst the tragedy, there has been a rising interest in discussing the broader issue of ‘crime-and-justice’ and negligence in the care of animals, with experts emphasizing the impact of irresponsible dog ownership on community welfare.
