A family in Oakland, California, is demanding answers after their beloved 12-year-old dog, Pepper, died following an attack by two large dogs at a local park. What should have been an ordinary walk turned into a traumatic experience that has left the family grieving and worried about the safety of other people and pets in the community.
Tomiquia Moss was walking Pepper near Children’s Fairyland at Lakeside Park on October 23 when two Cane Corsos allegedly jumped over a pair of fences and attacked the much smaller Chihuahua mix.
Moss said the dogs were significantly larger than Pepper and held the little dog in their mouths for several minutes before their owner arrived.
The difference in size made the situation especially frightening. Pepper weighed approximately 14 pounds, while the two attacking dogs were estimated to weigh more than 100 pounds each.
Moss recalled being covered in blood during the incident and not knowing whether she had also been injured.
She immediately rushed Pepper to a veterinarian in an effort to save her life. Unfortunately, the 12-year-old dog died from her injuries the following morning.
For Moss and her wife, Guthrie Morgan, the loss has been difficult to process. Pepper was part of their family, and the circumstances surrounding her death have made the grieving process even more painful.
“We miss her terribly,” Morgan said, explaining that the sudden and violent nature of the incident has made it harder for the family to find peace.
Family Raises Concerns About Earlier Dog Attacks
The family believes Pepper’s death may not have been an isolated incident.
Following the attack, other dog owners reportedly began sharing accounts online describing similar encounters involving two large dogs and the same individual.
Some of the posts allege that the animals were involved in more than 10 incidents at parks in Oakland and nearby Berkeley.
These accounts have raised concerns among local pet owners, although not every reported incident has been independently confirmed by authorities.
Additional reports have described attacks at several public parks, including Lakeside Park, Snow Park, Eastshore Park and Joaquin Miller Park.
The incidents have also raised questions about whether people walking their pets in these areas have received enough information to protect themselves.
One cellphone video reportedly shows an encounter in which a man appears to direct one of the dogs toward a woman who was recording him. The person who owns the footage has not agreed to release the complete video publicly.
The allegations are particularly serious because they suggest that the investigation may involve more than uncontrolled dogs or a single accidental encounter. However, authorities will need to establish what happened in each reported incident before drawing conclusions about the owner’s actions.
Owner Allegedly Walked Away After the Attack
Moss said the dogs’ owner eventually managed to take the animals away from the scene and leave.
That has become one of the family’s biggest concerns. Moss and Morgan want authorities to locate the individual and take the dogs into custody while the investigation continues.
They believe the community deserves answers about why the animals were allegedly able to attack another pet and whether earlier complaints were properly addressed.
The family is also concerned that another dog owner, child or park visitor could experience a similar situation if the animals remain unaccounted for.
Their request is not simply about recovering from Pepper’s death. They want steps taken to reduce the possibility of another attack.
What Oakland Animal Services Can Do
Oakland has an established Animal Control Division responsible for investigating animal attacks, enforcing local animal laws and handling cases involving potentially dangerous or vicious dogs.
Under Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 6.08, authorities can investigate dogs believed to pose a significant risk to people or property. Depending on the findings, owners may face requirements intended to prevent future incidents.
These cases can involve an official assessment of the animals’ behavior and circumstances surrounding previous attacks. The legal process can also determine what restrictions or other measures are necessary to protect public safety.
Animal control investigations are especially important when multiple complaints involve the same animals. Witness statements, photographs, videos, veterinary records and previous incident reports can help investigators establish whether separate reports are connected.
Oakland officials have asked people who witnessed or experienced incidents involving the dogs to contact authorities.
The city lists Oakland Animal Services at 510-535-4884 for animal-bite reports. Aggressive or dangerous animals can also be reported through Oakland Police Department’s non-emergency dispatch line at 510-777-3333.
Why Reports From Other Dog Owners Matter
For investigators, information from the public could help establish a clearer timeline of the reported incidents.
People who witnessed an attack may have photographs, video recordings or details about the location and date that could assist authorities.
Separate reports can also help determine whether the same dogs were involved in multiple incidents and whether there were earlier opportunities to address safety concerns.
Dog owners who visit public parks are being reminded to remain alert, keep their pets under control and avoid approaching unfamiliar aggressive animals.
If an attack occurs, seeking veterinary care and reporting the incident promptly can help protect both the injured animal and other members of the community.
Oakland’s animal-control responsibilities include investigating bite incidents and enforcing regulations involving potentially dangerous dogs. The department’s work is intended to balance animal welfare with the need to protect residents and their pets.
‘I Don’t Want Pepper’s Death to Be in Vain’
Despite the pain of losing Pepper, Moss said she does not want the tragedy to be forgotten.
She and Morgan said they have been overwhelmed by the support and messages they have received from people who understand how deeply a pet can become part of a family.
But the family also wants accountability.
Moss has called for the owner to surrender the dogs to Animal Control so authorities can investigate the reported attacks and determine what should happen next.
She also wants the individual held responsible if investigators establish that the animals were deliberately used to threaten or attack other people or pets.
“I just want folks to be safe. I don’t want Pepper’s death to be in vain,” Moss said.
Her message reflects a concern shared by other pet owners: public parks should be places where families can enjoy time outdoors without fearing that their animals could suddenly be attacked.
For now, the investigation continues, and authorities are asking anyone with firsthand information to come forward.
The family hopes that locating the owner and the two dogs will bring answers and help prevent another family from experiencing the same heartbreak.
Pepper may have been a small dog, but the loss has left a lasting impact on the people who loved her. For Moss and Morgan, pursuing accountability has become part of honoring the companion they lost.
