A 61-year-old man has been arrested after a pack of 10 dogs attacked a teenage girl while she was jogging in California, leaving her with severe injuries. Craig Arthur Simmons was taken into custody on August 13, nearly a month after the incident.
The attack occurred in San Bernardino County, where 17-year-old Tracy Hurtado was jogging when she was set upon by at least 10 large-breed dogs that were not fenced or leashed, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Simmons lived with more than a dozen dogs at the time.
Deputies reported that the dogs bit the victim multiple times on her legs and arms, causing large lacerations, abrasions, and removing flesh. A Good Samaritan intervened and rescued the teenager, who was then taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment.
Simmons was booked into High Desert Detention Center on suspicion of being the owner of an animal that caused serious bodily injury or death and remains in custody. Hurtado's mother, Maria Azpeitia, recounted the aftermath, saying her daughter asked, 'Mom, am I still pretty?'
Due to the nature of her injuries, Hurtado has been forced to stay home from school for medical care and rehabilitation. A GoFundMe campaign, 'Support Tracy’s Recovery Journey,' has raised $28,000 so far. Her family said she was preparing to start her senior year of high school but now cannot sleep at night due to nightmares from the trauma.
