Dog attack in Monte Alto draws attention to food aggression and strays

MONTE ALTO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The woman killed by her dog in her Monte Alto home has been identified as 85-year-old Geronima Florez.

According to authorities, the dog that attacked her was a black pit bull mix, one of many dogs on her property.

The dog attacked her when she went outside to feed the animals. Sergeant Enrique Longoria of the Hidalgo County Police Department says they believe the attack was due to the dogs defending their territory around the food.

“We believe that during feeding times, the other dogs were defending their territory along with the dog that attacked Ms. Florez, and our investigation leads us to believe that this is why she was attacked by her own dog,” Longoria said.

ValleyCentral spoke with a local dog trainer who has been in the business for 29 years. Cynthia Kendrick of Dog Obedience Inc. in Edinburg said she doesn’t typically see dogs become violent toward their owners unless it’s about food.

“When it comes to food, and you haven’t taught them how to be respectful of other dogs and other people – and themselves. Maybe you reach in with your hand to pick up his bowl and he might just grab your hand,” Kendrick said.

According to Kendrick, one of the best ways to prevent food aggression is to introduce dogs to food when they are puppies. She advises owners to put their hands near their dog’s food, move it around and play with it.

“When you get a puppy, make sure you play around with his food. You put your hand in his bowl, you take the food away from him, you give it to him, you hand feed him,” Kendrick said. “You make sure he knows you’re the boss and that you care about the food.”

Longoria said autopsy results confirm the dog attack. Florez had injuries to her neck and upper head. When Florez’s brother noticed the attack, he shot the dog and Florez was taken to a hospital where she later died.

Authorities said animal control rescued 25 other dogs on their property. Many of the dogs were believed to be only one to two weeks old.

The investigation revealed that Florez often took in and cared for strays from the neighborhood.

If you see stray dogs in your neighborhood or on your property, you should call your local animal control agency so the dogs can be rescued.