California Man Arrested After Teen Girl Mauled by More Than 10 Dogs While Jogging

Tracy Azpeitia, 17, was out jogging near her home in Newberry Springs on July 17 when she was surrounded and violently attacked by at least 10 dogs

A 61-year-old California man has been arrested after a teenage girl was viciously attacked by more than 10 large-breed dogs while jogging in Newberry Springs, leaving her with life-threatening injuries and hundreds of bite wounds.

The victim, 17-year-old Tracy Azpeitia, was jogging near her home along the 30000 block of Newberry Road just after 8 a.m. on July 17 when she was surrounded and attacked by at least 10 dogs, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. A nearby resident heard her screams and called 911 as the dogs repeatedly bit her arms and legs, causing large lacerations, extensive abrasions, and removal of flesh.

Craig Arthur Simmons, 61, was arrested on Wednesday, nearly a month after a teenage girl was brutally mauled by more than 10 large-breed dogs while jogging in California, leaving her nearly 'unrecognizable'

A good Samaritan intervened to stop the attack and prevent further damage. First responders arrived to transport Tracy to the hospital, where doctors treated her for hundreds of bites that required more than 500 stitches. Her stepfather, Carlos Ramirez, said the dogs bit nearly every part of her body except her ankles.

Her mother, Maria Azpeitia, said Tracy was nearly unrecognizable when she arrived at the scene. She initially identified her daughter by her clothing before realizing the extent of the injuries. Tracy asked her mother if she was still pretty, and Maria reassured her that she was beautiful. The teen, who was preparing to begin her senior year of high school, now suffers from significant physical and emotional trauma and must remain at home for medical appointments and rehabilitation. She is also experiencing frequent nightmares and difficulty sleeping.

The teen suffered hundreds of bites across her body, requiring more than 500 stitches to close lacerations and wounds from the attack

Investigators seized 16 dogs from the area following the attack and determined they were unrestrained and not kept within a fenced area. Community members have voiced growing concerns about the presence of stray and uncontrolled dogs in the neighborhood, reporting previous incidents in which packs of dogs appeared suddenly and surrounded pedestrians.

A good Samaritan ultimately intervened, bringing the brutal attack to an end and preventing even more serious injuries

Nearly a month after the attack, authorities arrested Craig Arthur Simmons on suspicion of being the owner of an animal causing serious injury or death. Officers conducted surveillance in the area and apprehended Simmons without incident as he rode his bike down his driveway. He was booked into the High Desert Detention Center, where his bail was set at $30,000. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Friday.

The seized dogs are being held at the Barstow Humane Society pending the outcome of the investigation.

A total of 16 dogs were seized from the area by San Bernardino County Animal Control following the attack, with investigators noting the animals were neither leashed nor fenced