New Charges Filed in Pit Bull Attack

Emako Mendoza died from her injuries on Christmas Eve

New charges have been filed against the owners of two pit bulls that mauled a 75-year-old woman, who later died from her injuries.

Alba Cornelio, 39, and her daughter, Carla Cornelio, 19, pleaded not guilty Thursday to new charges of involuntary manslaughter and death from a mischievous animal.

The mother and daughter were previously arraigned on multiple other criminal charges, including serious bodily injury from a mischievous animal, failure to provide public protection from dogs, owning or having custody of a dangerous animal/dog causing injury and failure to restrain a dog.

Emako Mendoza, 75, was bitten at her home on June 18, 2011 after going outside to get a newspaper.

“You wouldn’t imagine something like that would happen in your own private backyard,” her husband, James Mendoza said. “She thought she was safe.”

Mendoza suffered a heart attack. Her left arm and leg had to be amputated.

After months of rehabilitation, her heart stopped on Christmas Eve.

“She was just so tired… she wanted to come home so bad,” James Mendoza said. “But she didn’t make it.”

The dogs were euthanized by animal service officers, along with their three-week old puppies.

Alba Cornelio and Carla Cornelio are facing four years and eight months in prison if convicted of all of the charges, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Bail is set at $350,000 for each defendant.

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