Maria Ruiz

Loving Mom mauled dead on her own front porch by neighbor’s terriers

A 77-year-old Arizona woman has died after she was attacked on her front porch by her neighbor’s dogs.

Eliza “Maria” Sebastian Ruiz was found unresponsive on the ground in a Phoenix neighborhood Tuesday morning, with “four Staffordshire terrier-mix dogs” surrounding her, News 13 reports. She was rushed to the hospital where she passed away from injuries caused by the dogs’ attack.

The owner of the dogs, 33-year-old Alejandro Hernandez, was arrested and charged with negligent homicide, according to police. Maricopa County Animal Care and Control had reportedly been to Hernandez’s home previously about the dogs.

“The dogs escaped several times. I’ve called the police on them,” a neighbor told Local 12. “It’s terrifying. Terrifying. She was sitting on the porch. She wasn’t even walking. She was sitting on the porch.”

In February 2020, animal control responded after someone called about multiple dogs being on the loose. The dogs belonged to Hernandez, who was given seven license warnings.

In April 2020, animal control responded again concerning the dogs being loose. They told Hernandez to fix a broken area on his gate. Hernandez reportedly never repaired the gate.

Hernandez allegedly admitted to police that his dogs had been on the loose several times in the past. He also admitted that his dogs had chased and bitten others.

Due to the attack, Maricopa County ACC euthanized all of the dogs.

Check back for updates.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to our latest episode below. 

Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most – your children.

[Feature Photo: Maria Ruiz/Handout]