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A California teen is facing a long and painful road to recovery after being viciously mauled by a pack of dogs while out for a morning jog. The attack, described as “brutal,” left her unrecognizable to her own mother and in need of more than 500 stitches.
17-year-old Tracy Hurtado was running near her home in Newberry Springs around 6:30 to 7:00 am on July 17 when she was surrounded and attacked by more than ten dogs, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD).
Highlights
- California teen Tracy Hurtado was brutally mauled by over 10 dogs during a morning jog, needing more than 500 stitches for her injuries.
- Her mother barely recognized her due to severe injuries and dirt.
- Tracy faces long recovery with physical rehab and therapy, unable to attend school due to trauma and nightmares.
The dogs, reportedly owned by a 61-year-old local man named Craig Arthur Simmons, left her with devastating injuries.
“The bites caused large lacerations, abrasions and removed flesh,” the sheriff’s department confirmed.
RELATED:
17YO asked her mother if she was “still pretty” after being brutally mauled by a pack of large dogs
Image credits: ABC7
The teen’s mother, Maria Azpeitia, received the call informing her of her daughter’s condition. She rushed out the door, racing toward the scene in a panic, fearing the worst but clinging to hope that her daughter would somehow be okay.
What she found instead was every parent’s nightmare.
Image credits: GoFundMe
Tracy lay on the ground, bloodied, mangled, and barely recognizable. The dogs had left her covered in deep wounds and dirt. Maria froze at the sight, taking her several moments to process what she was seeing.
“I didn’t know who she was,” Azpeitia told local media. “She was so covered in dirt. I didn’t recognize my daughter. I recognized her bra. That’s what I recognized.”
Image credits: GoFundMe
Despite the horror of the moment, Maria had to set aside her despair, as her daughter was conscious, alive, and in desperate need for comfort.
As she knelt beside Tracy, trying to soothe her, the teenager, her face smeared with blood and dust, looked up and asked a single, heartbreaking question.
“Mom, am I still pretty?”
Image credits: ABC7
Maria knew no words could fix what had happened, but she knew what Tracy needed to hear.
“Yes, of course, you’re beautiful,” she replied.
Image credits: ABC7
Tracy’s stepfather, Carlos Ramirez, later confirmed the devastating extent of the injuries. The dogs had torn into her with such brutality, it was as if they intended to consume her entirely.
“They bit every part of her body you could think of, except for her ankles,” he said.
A fundraiser campaign was launched to help Tracy deal with her physical and psychological wounds
Image credits: ABC7
Before the attack, Tracy was eagerly preparing to begin her senior year of high school.
It was meant to be a season of yearbook photos and college applications. Instead, she now spends her days in and out of medical appointments, trying to piece her life back together.
Image credits: ABC7
According to a fundraiser page launched by her family, Tracy can no longer attend school. Her days are filled with rehabilitation sessions and visits to doctors, who are helping her heal from the physical and psychological consequences of the mauling.
“Due to the trauma, she cannot sleep at night; she’s having nightmares,” the page read.
Image credits: ABC7
Despite the unimaginable circumstances, Tracy is not alone.
The campaign is on its way to be a massive success, bringing in more than $37,000 of its $40,000 goal. The site has been flooded with supportive messages from strangers across the country, many of whom were moved by her story.
Image credits: ABC7
“Your mama is right, you’re still beautiful and you’re strong,” one donor wrote. “You’re going to have an AMAZING senior year.”
“You asked if you were still pretty? You’re amazing and beautiful,” another added.
The alleged owner of the dogs was arrested and could face up to four years in jail
Image credits: ABC7
The man believed to be responsible for the dogs, 61-year-old Craig Arthur Simmons, was eventually arrested last Wednesday (August 13). He now faces charges under California Penal Code 399(B), which applies to an “owner of an animal causing serious bodily injury.”
Under this law, a person can be held criminally liable if they knew, or should have known, that their animal was dangerous and failed to take proper precautions to prevent an attack.
Image credits: GoFundMe
In Simmons’ case, the size of the pack, and the severity of Tracy’s injuries may all play a role in the prosecution’s argument that he acted with reckless disregard for public safety.
If convicted, the man could face up to four years in state prison, along with significant fines. In technical terms, the charge is classified as a “wobbler,” meaning it can be prosecuted as either misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances.
At the time of writing, neither Simmons nor San Bernardino authorities have released additional statements beyond confirming the arrest.
“Breaks my heart.” Netizens took to social media to wish Tracy a speedy recovery
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What do you think ?
Heather 3 months ago
My neighbor was being attacked by her own pit bull after he had killed her shepherd mix. I heard her screaming for help and like an idiot, I went right over the fence, grabbed the pit bull by the loose skin on the back of his neck to get him off her. It worked-he flipped around and gripped right onto my face. I only needed 50 stitches though and my scarring is very minimal. The dog is still there-zero consequences because it happened in it's own yard. I am the biggest dog lover, but now I do not EVER approach strays or go to a dog park etc. I also think pit bulls should be banned after reading about ALL of the brutal attacks on their owners despite being raised from puppyhood in the home. There is an unknown switch in their DNA that if it get's flipped, you have no control.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 months ago
There are many stories about pit bulls - who are raised from puppyhood by a loving family and are NOT rescues/former bait/fighting dogs - suddenly attacking their lifelong family members. A couple lost both of their children to the two pit bulls that they'd had for 8 years - the dogs' entire lives. Many times it IS the owner's fault for a dog's aggressive behaviors, but pit bulls are not "nanny dogs"; they were bred as fighting dogs and still have that instinct. (I know about breed instinct - I have had GSDs, a Mal, and a half-livestock guardian dog.) Most pit bulls are sweethearts. But it's not worth the risk, IMO. I'm sorry to hear you got attacked for just trying to help your neighbor :(
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Mike F 3 months ago
"Wobbler" my @ss. Take into account the $ amount of the injuries and the counseling she is certainly going to need in the future, and figure THAT into the charges. If there are 10 dogs involved, this guy and his dogs are certainly on the blotter of the local police/sheriff's departments.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 months ago
From what I read, they removed a total of 16 unkenneled/unfenced/otherwise unrestrained dogs from his property (so in other words, at least 16 dogs that could run totally free and loose.) I love dogs, I have two, but I completely agree with you. Aggressive dogs are 100% the owner's responsibility and EVERYTHING they do is on the owner, no one else. I hope this particular attack is prosecuted as a felony. The dogs at least should have been fenced in a yard. I live about 2hrs south of where this happened and I've been to the general area up there. It's a bit more rural and some people do leave their dogs unfenced/unrestrained, and it's a serious problem. But this particular attack is beyond the pale.
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Mel in Georgia 3 months ago
Was knocked off my bike and bitten by a leashed German Shepherd that got away from its owner when I was a kid. Was very lucky to have the owner there who called it off. Even with only one bite it was terrifying. Can't imagine the trauma of almost being eaten alive. I don't fear dogs now, but have a very healthy respect for them and never approach a strange, unleashed dog. Hopefully, time will be the big healer in this girl's life and she will recover her self worth. Tragic.
Heather 3 months ago
My neighbor was being attacked by her own pit bull after he had killed her shepherd mix. I heard her screaming for help and like an idiot, I went right over the fence, grabbed the pit bull by the loose skin on the back of his neck to get him off her. It worked-he flipped around and gripped right onto my face. I only needed 50 stitches though and my scarring is very minimal. The dog is still there-zero consequences because it happened in it's own yard. I am the biggest dog lover, but now I do not EVER approach strays or go to a dog park etc. I also think pit bulls should be banned after reading about ALL of the brutal attacks on their owners despite being raised from puppyhood in the home. There is an unknown switch in their DNA that if it get's flipped, you have no control.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 months ago
There are many stories about pit bulls - who are raised from puppyhood by a loving family and are NOT rescues/former bait/fighting dogs - suddenly attacking their lifelong family members. A couple lost both of their children to the two pit bulls that they'd had for 8 years - the dogs' entire lives. Many times it IS the owner's fault for a dog's aggressive behaviors, but pit bulls are not "nanny dogs"; they were bred as fighting dogs and still have that instinct. (I know about breed instinct - I have had GSDs, a Mal, and a half-livestock guardian dog.) Most pit bulls are sweethearts. But it's not worth the risk, IMO. I'm sorry to hear you got attacked for just trying to help your neighbor :(
Load More Replies... Mike F 3 months ago
"Wobbler" my @ss. Take into account the $ amount of the injuries and the counseling she is certainly going to need in the future, and figure THAT into the charges. If there are 10 dogs involved, this guy and his dogs are certainly on the blotter of the local police/sheriff's departments.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 3 months ago
From what I read, they removed a total of 16 unkenneled/unfenced/otherwise unrestrained dogs from his property (so in other words, at least 16 dogs that could run totally free and loose.) I love dogs, I have two, but I completely agree with you. Aggressive dogs are 100% the owner's responsibility and EVERYTHING they do is on the owner, no one else. I hope this particular attack is prosecuted as a felony. The dogs at least should have been fenced in a yard. I live about 2hrs south of where this happened and I've been to the general area up there. It's a bit more rural and some people do leave their dogs unfenced/unrestrained, and it's a serious problem. But this particular attack is beyond the pale.
Load More Replies... Mel in Georgia 3 months ago
Was knocked off my bike and bitten by a leashed German Shepherd that got away from its owner when I was a kid. Was very lucky to have the owner there who called it off. Even with only one bite it was terrifying. Can't imagine the trauma of almost being eaten alive. I don't fear dogs now, but have a very healthy respect for them and never approach a strange, unleashed dog. Hopefully, time will be the big healer in this girl's life and she will recover her self worth. Tragic.
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