Texas Woman Fatally Mauled by Her Aggressive Pit Bull in San Antonio

Download IPFS

A San Antonio woman tragically died on her birthday after being mauled by her pit bull, a dog that neighbors and witnesses described as previously aggressive. The fatal attack, which occurred late in the evening, has reignited concerns over the dangers posed by certain breeds and the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Simone Lyke, 32, was attacked around 11 p.m. on July 24 by her male American Bully, a type of pit bull, on the balcony of her apartment in San Antonio, Texas. According to reports, Lyke was attempting to isolate the dog after its behavior became erratic during a visit from a friend. While trying to move the animal onto the balcony, it turned on her violently.

Witnesses described a chaotic and horrifying scene as Lyke screamed for help. One bystander reportedly threw a pizza at the dog in an attempt to distract it, but the intervention proved unsuccessful. Lyke tried to shield herself using her purse, but the dog continued to attack relentlessly. She was ultimately rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where she later succumbed to her injuries on July 28, her 32nd birthday. The cause of death was confirmed as complications from dog mauling, according to local news outlet KSAT.

Dramatic footage from the aftermath showed the dog lashing out at San Antonio police officers as they attempted to bring it under control. Authorities eventually secured the animal, which is now in quarantine under the supervision of San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) while an investigation is underway.

ACS identified both Lyke and another individual as co-owners of the dog. That second individual, who has not been publicly named, has received multiple citations, one for the dog bite incident and others for failing to provide proof of vaccination and microchipping for another dog also in their care. Although several witnesses claimed the pit bull had a history of violent behavior, ACS stated that no official reports of biting had been previously filed.

As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with Lyke’s death, though ACS confirmed it is cooperating closely with law enforcement.

Lyke’s mother, Suzzette Lyke, expressed her grief publicly on social media. She claimed the dog belonged to her daughter’s boyfriend, not Simone herself, and accused the man of misrepresenting ownership to authorities. “This is my daughter Simone, that was mauled by her boyfriend’s dog,” she wrote in a Facebook post, “The [boyfriend] told the police it was hers. Pray for my daughter, she is in critical condition.” She later shared a heartbreaking tribute after her daughter’s passing: “The love of my life is in Heaven with her family, now you are present with the Lord.”

Despite the family’s statements, ACS concluded that Simone Lyke was legally recognized as one of the dog’s owners.

This tragedy adds to growing scrutiny over ownership of potentially dangerous breeds and whether stricter regulations should be enforced to protect both owners and the public. As the investigation continues, authorities hope to clarify the events that led to this fatal attack and prevent similar incidents in the future.