A 32-year-old woman has died following a vicious attack by her own dog last week, San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) confirmed. The woman, identified by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office as Simone Lyke, succumbed to injuries sustained during the mauling.
The incident occurred around 11 p.m. on July 24 in the 1400 block of Patricia Drive, near Northwest Military Highway. According to a preliminary report by the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), Lyke was attacked by a male bully breed dog inside the residence.
Authorities say a witness at the scene attempted to intervene by throwing a pizza at the dog, which temporarily distracted it, but not long enough to prevent multiple severe bites. Lyke reportedly screamed for someone to call 911 during the attack, as the dog continued to maul her.
Lisa Norwood, Public Relations Manager for ACS, told KSAT in an emailed statement that the dog bit Lyke multiple times and that the injuries were significant. The Bexar County Medical Examiner later confirmed the cause of death as “complications of dog mauling.”
Lyke was listed as a co-owner of the dog along with another individual. That second owner has since been issued multiple criminal citations, according to ACS. The charges include violations related to the dog bite incident and for failing to provide proof of vaccination or microchipping for another animal in the household.
Witnesses at the scene told police that the dog had a history of aggressive behavior, although the specifics of previous incidents remain unclear. Those accounts are currently being investigated. The dog involved in the fatal attack has been placed under quarantine as the investigation continues.
ACS has not confirmed whether the animal will ultimately be euthanized or if further legal action will be taken against the owners. This tragedy has left the neighborhood shaken and raised serious questions about responsible pet ownership and prior warning signs. Dog behavior experts often stress the importance of monitoring signs of aggression and ensuring animals are properly trained, socialized, and medically evaluated.
Authorities are urging the public to report any prior incidents involving dangerous animals to prevent similar tragedies in the future. In the meantime, ACS and SAPD continue to piece together the events that led to Lyke’s tragic death. No further information has been released, and the case remains under active investigation.