Owner of Dog who Mauled Juvenile in Newberry Springs Arrested

on August 14, 2025

August 13, 2025 -- Barstow deputies conducted surveillance on the residence of the dog owner, Craig Arthur Simmons, 61, and observed him riding his bike down the roadway near his home. Simmons was contacted and taken into custody for the dog mauling. He was interviewed at the Barstow Station and booked into High Desert Detention Center without incident for violation of Penal Code 399(B) - Owner of Animal Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death. He remains in custody with a court date of August 15, 2025. 

This began on July 17, 2025, at about 9:52 a.m., Barstow Station deputies were advised a dog mauling occurred at an address on the 30000 block of Newberry Road, in Newberry Springs. The incident occurred approximately two hours prior to the incident being reported and the juvenile victim had been transported to Loma Linda University Medical Center due to the extent of her injuries.

Deputies spoke with the victim’s parents and learned the victim had been out jogging when she was attacked by 10 or more large breed dogs. The dogs bit the victim several times on her legs and arms. The bites caused large lacerations, abrasions, and removed flesh. A Good Samaritan rescued the victim from the dog attack. Through investigation, deputies determined the dogs belonged to a resident of Newberry Springs and were not fenced or leashed at the time of the incident.

San Bernardino Animal Control was advised of the incident, responded to the scene and seized 16 dogs from the area. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Barstow Station is conducting a criminal investigation reference the dog mauling.

A GoFundMe campaign titled Support Tracy’s Recovery Journey has been created by Joan Snedeker to assist the victim, identified as Tracy Hurtado, with medical and recovery expenses. The fundraiser has raised over $28,000 as of today.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Barstow Station at 760-995-8788. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.

Criminal Charges in Dog Bite and Strict Liability in California

California Penal Code 399(b) addresses the consequences of negligently allowing a mischievous animal to cause serious bodily injury or death. It's a "wobbler," meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the severity and circumstances. If the animal's actions result in death, it's automatically a felony. 

Strict Liability

A strict liability tort is a legal doctrine where a defendant is held liable for harm caused by their actions or products, regardless of whether they were negligent or intended to cause harm. This means the plaintiff only needs to prove the defendant's involvement in the activity or product and that it caused their injury, not that the defendant was at fault. Strict liability typically applies to things and activities considered inherently dangerous or to products with defects.

The owner of any dog is liable for the damages suffered by any person who is bitten by the dog while in a public place or lawfully in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness.

Consequences

Misdemeanor: Up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Felony: Imprisonment in county jail for 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years, and a fine of up to $10,000

Civil Liability

In California, dog bite cases fall under strict liability, meaning dog owners are generally liable for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous. While the average settlement amount for dog bite cases in California can range from $30,000 to $200,000 or more, the specific amount varies greatly depending on the severity of the injury, the extent of damages, and other factors. Some severe cases have even reached six or seven figures.