San Bernardino, CA — A routine emergency response to a dog attack at a local park turned tragic on Thursday, July 31, when a woman was fatally mauled, another injured, and police were forced to shoot one of the attacking dogs at the scene.
The incident has raised serious concerns about public safety, stray animal control, and the growing risks near homeless encampments.
Officers Respond to Chaotic Scene at Perris Hill Park
San Bernardino police received a 911 call around 5 p.m. reporting a dog attack near Perris Hill Park, a well-known public space about 60 miles east of Los Angeles. According to The Orange County Register, officers arrived to find a woman suffering from injuries, believed to be caused by a dog or dogs in the area.
While they were attempting to assist the injured woman, two dogs charged at the officers, prompting one of them to open fire, killing one of the animals on the spot, police confirmed.
“The safety of the victim and officers was the immediate concern,” said one official familiar with the case. “The dogs were actively aggressive.”
Second Victim Discovered Nearby With Fatal Injuries
As officers secured the scene, they discovered a second woman with extensive facial injuries nearby, according to KABC. Emergency responders transported her to a local hospital, but she later died from her injuries.
The San Bernardino County Coroner’s Office identified the deceased as Teodora Mendoza, 51, a local resident of San Bernardino, The Victorville Daily Press reported.
Unclear How First Woman Was Injured
Authorities have not yet clarified the circumstances under which the first woman was injured. It remains uncertain whether she was part of the same dog attack or suffered her injuries in a separate encounter or while attempting to intervene.
An investigation is ongoing, and officials say they are working to piece together a full timeline of the events that unfolded at the park.
Animal Control Removes 14 Dogs From the Area
According to KCAL, animal control officers removed 14 dogs from the vicinity of the park, which is adjacent to a known homeless encampment. Investigators are now working to determine:
- How many dogs were directly involved in the attack
- Whether the dogs were strays, owned, or part of an encampment
- And if the animals have a history of aggression or prior complaints
The breed, origin, and condition of the dogs have not yet been disclosed.
Police Request Public Assistance
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information about the dogs to contact Sgt. Jose Loera of the San Bernardino Police Department at 909-384-5736.
“Public help is critical in cases like this where so many unknowns remain,” a spokesperson said.
Concerns Over Safety in Park Areas and Homeless Zones
The fatal mauling has once again highlighted growing tensions surrounding urban wildlife, stray dogs, and unregulated animal populations near homeless encampments. Perris Hill Park is popular with local families, joggers, and the elderly — making the violent event even more alarming to the community.
“We’ve been saying for months that the dog population near the park is growing out of control,” said a nearby resident. “It was only a matter of time before something awful happened.”
Deadly Dog Attacks: Rare but Serious
Although fatal dog attacks are statistically rare, they often involve multiple animals, lack of restraint, or dogs with unknown backgrounds. California law holds pet owners and handlers strictly liable in many such cases — particularly when the animals are unregistered or unsupervised.
The city has not yet announced whether criminal charges may be filed.
Do you feel parks near homeless encampments should have tighter animal control policies? Share your views and safety ideas in the comments.
