Texas Woman Mauled to Death by Six Dogs

A pack of six dogs mauled a 76-year-old woman to death as she worked in her yard, authorities said.

Lillian Loraine Stiles was riding on a lawn mower in her front yard Saturday when she was confronted by the dogs, described as pit bull- rottweiler mixed breeds, said Milam County Sheriff Charlie West.

Investigators think Stiles was attacked when she got off the mower and headed into her house.

Stiles had severe bites over her entire body, and a man who tried to help her was bitten on one leg, authorities said.

The sheriff's department will send the findings of its investigation to the Milam County District Attorney's Office, which will decide if any criminal charges will be filed against Hernandez.

If a law was passed, that upon registering an animal, owners would need to show proof of liability insurance for certain breeds, those certain breeds would be kept to a minimum.

Yes, as long as the rates are not astronomically high, that would help
Graduated licensing, based perhaps on weight, could be used.
Coupled with education and testing, like a drivers license.
Rigorous enforcement of existing laws is a must.
I'd like to keep certain owners to a minimum too.

Hi there. I read your FReepmail, and the last I'd heard anything re: this case was last week; so your information is more current and news to me.

Regarding:

Dog owner in pit bull attacks charged
12/27/2005 12:14 PM
By: News 8 Austin Staff

The owner of the dogs that killed a Thorndale woman in November has been charged with six counts of failure to vaccinate his animals.

Lillian Stiles, 76, died after Jose Hernandez’s six dogs, believed to be a pit bull/rottweiler mix, attacked her in her front yard.

Investigators say the dogs belonged to Stiles' neighbor, Jose

Hernandez lived next door to the Stiles’ in rural Thorndale in Milam County.

Autopsy results show the dogs did not have rabies.

The charges against Hernandez are a misdemeanor. There are no laws in Milam County for harsher charges.

http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=152621

It seems that this dog owner got through on loopholes in the law. I really think that these fines mentioned in the article today demonstrate the frustration of the prosecutors and law enforcement officials. I feel they charged him with this because a) they could and b) they wanted to at least "make him pay" for something.

I asked a family member from this area if the Hernandez's had plans to leave the area, and at this point the answer seems to be "no." I'm told that no one from the Hernandez family has apologized to Mr. Stiles, but many feel that the Hernandez attorney has prevented him from doing so.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.