Dog Owner Charged In Mauling Death Of Texas Man: Police

FRESNO, TX — A 47-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a dog mauling that killed a 71-year-old man in Fresno, Texas, according to authorities.

Samuel Cartwright is charged with attack by dog resulting in death, a second-degree felony, and his bond is set at $100,000, according to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office.

Police say Cartwright is the owner of seven dogs — all pit bull mixes — that attacked Freddy Garcia while he was walking to a corner store July 18. All seven dogs have been captured by local authorities.

If convicted, Cartwright faces between two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 under "Lillian's Law," which was passed after Lillian Stiles died from a similar mauling in 2005.

Garcia did nothing to provoke the attack, according to Fort Bend County Sheriff Eric Fagan, who offered his condolences to Garcia's family in a statement.

"This devastating tragedy didn’t have to happen," Fagan said.