For the second time in two legislative sessions, Texas lawmakers have failed to pass a bill aimed at preventing deadly dog attacks and holding irresponsible dog owners more accountable. This comes despite strong bipartisan backing and a revised version of the proposal supported by Governor Greg Abbott.
The bill was initially introduced as the Ramon Najera Act, in memory of 81-year-old Air Force veteran Ramon Najera. He was killed in 2023 while trying to protect his wife from a dog attack on a sidewalk in San Antonio.
“They should have changed the protocol a long time ago,” said Janie Najera, who survived the attack that took her husband’s life. “If that would have happened, my husband would still be alive.”
In the wake of Ramon’s death, his family called for tougher laws. Lawmakers responded by drafting a bill to increase penalties for owners of dangerous dogs and improve how such incidents are reported in the state.
The bill successfully passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature in 2023. However, in a surprising move, Governor Abbott vetoed the legislation, despite later backing a revised version.
Supporters of the bill expressed frustration over yet another missed opportunity to strengthen public safety laws and prevent future tragedies.
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