Dog attacks can be fatal: know your rights if you lose a loved one to a dog attack.
Simone Lyke Succumbed to Her Injuries at the Hospital After Being Viciously Mauled by Her Pit Bull
According to a News4SanAntonio report, Simone Lyke, 32, succumbed to her injuries after a vicious dog attack at her San Antonio apartment.¹
Police reported the attack happened at around 11 p.m. Wednesday, July 23rd, at the Lennox Apartment Complex off Patricia Drive and Larkspur. Simone Lykes was reportedly with a friend in the apartment when the dog became aggressive toward her guest. She tried to take the dog to the balcony, but the dog turned on her and attacked.
Her friend called for help. Simone was viciously mauled, reportedly losing her arm and suffering severe internal organ damage in the attack. She was taken to University Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries on Sunday, July 27th, which would have been her 32nd birthday.
ACS took the dog into custody during the investigation. They reported that Simone co-owned the dog with another person, but did not say who that person was. They did say the person was facing multiple citations. Fox SA Puro San Antonio reported that Simone Lyke’s mother, Suzzette Lyke, posted to Facebook that the dog belonged to Simone’s boyfriend.²
Did You Know?
ACS reported nearly 300 severe dog bites in San Antonio in fiscal year 2023—a 59% increase from the 188 reported in 2022.³
Fatal Dog Maulings in San Antonio: Your Rights If You Lose a Loved One to a Vicious Dog
Losing a loved one in such a violent and preventable way is unimaginable. For grieving families, this kind of tragedy raises urgent questions about liability, ownership, and what can be done to pursue justice—especially when the dog belonged to someone else.
Fatal Dog Attacks in Texas: Who Can Be Held Responsible?
Under Texas law, dog owners may be held civilly liable if they:
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Knew the dog had aggressive tendencies
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Failed to restrain or control the animal
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Violated city leash laws or state regulations
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Allowed the dog to roam or attack in public or private spaces
Even if a dog has no prior bite record, owners can be liable if they acted negligently—for example, by failing to secure a large or strong dog that posed an obvious risk of harm.
What Happens in Cases of Co-Ownership or Shared Responsibility?
If a dog is co-owned, determining liability becomes more complex.
Courts may examine:
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Who had primary control of the dog
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Where the dog lived and who fed or trained it
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Whether one party was more aware of past aggression
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If one party failed to warn or protect others
If a person was responsible for managing or restraining the dog—and failed to take reasonable safety precautions—they may be held liable, even if they were not the sole legal owner.
Wrongful Death Claims After a Dog Attack
When a fatal dog attack occurs, certain surviving family members may be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Texas. These typically include:
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Parents
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Children
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Spouses
Even if criminal charges are pending or citations are issued, families may still pursue civil damages for the emotional and financial toll of their loss from the responsible party.
What Compensation Can Be Recovered?
Compensation will vary from case to case. Typically speaking, a wrongful death claim provides compensation for:
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Medical expenses (including emergency medical treatment costs)
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Funeral and burial expenses
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Pain and suffering
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Loss of companionship
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Loss of financial support (if applicable)
An experienced attorney can explain exactly what kind of compensation you can expect in your case.
While no lawsuit can undo the pain of losing a loved one, it can help cover the immense financial burdens that follow an unexpected death and hold responsible parties accountable.
Grieving After a Dog Attack? Call Shaw.
If you lost a loved one to a dog attack in San Antonio or anywhere in Texas, you could be entitled to compensation.
We’ll help you find out if you have grounds for a claim for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced Wrongful Death lawyer in San Antonio. There are no fees or obligations attached—just the expert legal advice you need.
Carabin Shaw has been a trusted name in San Antonio for over 32 years because we put our clients first. We look forward to serving you.