Oakland family seeks justice after dog attack that killed beloved pet: 'She was taken from us'
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- An Oakland family is mourning the loss of their beloved dog after a violent attack that they say could have been prevented. Now, they're calling for accountability and working with Oakland Animal Services to investigate whether the dogs involved have a history of aggression.
For Tomiquia Moss, California's secretary of housing and homelessness, daily walks with her dog Pepper were a cherished routine.
That routine ended Friday morning near Fairyland Park in Oakland, when two dogs allegedly escaped from the nearby bocce courts and attacked Pepper.
"It feels like she was stolen from us," Moss said. "She was taken from us."
Moss said she was walking Pepper when she saw two large dogs suddenly jump over fencing and charge toward them.
"I see these two gigantic dogs jump two fences out of the bocce courts and start making a beeline toward me and my dog," she said.
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The attack unfolded within seconds.
"They both attacked her, and they both had her body shaking, and I couldn't do anything," Moss said.
According to Moss, the dogs' owner was unable to gain control of the animals during the attack. With help from a nearby park worker, Pepper was rushed to a veterinarian before being transferred to a specialty emergency hospital.
"Our vet assessed her, and she was in such critical condition that she needed to be transported for more specialty care," Moss said.
Despite extensive treatment, including a blood transfusion, Pepper died the following morning.
Moss's daughter, Torii Lola, was on the phone with her mother when the attack happened.
"As we're chatting, she just starts screaming at the top of her lungs for help," Lola said. "I didn't know what was going on."
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After Pepper's death, the family turned to social media seeking information. They say numerous people contacted them claiming they had witnessed or experienced similar incidents involving the same dogs.
"So many people reached out, not only stating that they've seen this incident happen before, but that their dogs got attacked," Lola said.
Posts circulating on Reddit and neighborhood forums describe previous encounters with two dogs and an owner matching the family's description, though those accounts have not been independently verified. The family says their goal now is both accountability and awareness.
"For so many people to be experiencing this and nothing's been done," Lola said, "the only way I could feel better about this is getting justice for Pepper."
As the investigation moves forward, Moss says she is focused on grieving a dog she describes as an irreplaceable member of the family.
"I'm just going to miss her," she said. "She was such a prominent spirit in our lives."
ABC7 Eyewitness News reached out to the City of Oakland about this attack and was told they cannot comment at this time, as this is an active investigation.
