Man charged after fatal dog mauling in Oakland, victim's brother speaks
Dog owner arrested and charged after his 3 dogs attacked and killed a man in Oakland
The brother of the man killed in a dog mauling in East Oakland on Sunday, identified him as Robert Holguin. He said the 52-year-old struggled with mental illness and was homeless. Authorities said the victim was attacked by 3 dogs that broke through a fence. The dogs have been euthanized. The dog owner is behind bars. He faces charges including failure to control an animal killing a human.
OAKLAND, Calif. - A 57-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of another man who was fatally mauled by three dogs in Oakland, police said.
Brendan Burke faces charges for failing to control his dogs —mixed breeds of Cane Corso and Neapolitan Mastiff — that attacked Robert Holguin just before noon on Sunday in the 1600 block of 36th Avenue.
Burke, whose dogs had escaped from his yard a day prior, admitted that the dogs do not respond to commands.
Animal control officers had previously visited Burke’s home.
When Oakland police responded to the scene on Sunday, they found Holguin suffering from multiple dog bites. He died at the scene, according to police.
KTVU spoke to the victim's brother on Thursday. He said when he visited him just three weeks ago, he never imagined that his brother would be killed this way.
Alex Holguin, the victim's brother, lives out of state. He said his 52-year-old brother was homeless and lived out of his car.
"Imagine hearing how your loved one was attacked by a dog. It's horrible," Holguin said about his brother.
He said his brother knew the owner of the dogs that attacked him.
A source told KTVU there are six dogs on the property. Three broke through a fence and dragged Holguin into the backyard and bit him multiple times.
KTVU obtained court documents, which state that animal control responded to a report that the victim being attacked by the dogs was underneath a vehicle.
A spokesperson for the City of Oakland said the three dogs were euthanized. The three others are now with Oakland Animal Services.
On Thursday evening, we saw a man come out from the home where the dog owner lives, with a Cane Corso – the same breed of dog that attacked and killed Holguin.
Many neighbors declined to speak with us for fear of retaliation, but said there are still dogs at that home.
One woman who lives nearby said in Cantonese that she is now concerned for her safety. She said she will avoid walking past the dog owner's home.
Holguin's brother said Robert suffered from mental illness, which led to drug addiction. He served time for drug-related offenses and spiraled into homelessness.
But he also said Robert was a man of faith and a street preacher.
Burke, the dog owner, is now being held at Santa Rita Jail.
Alex had this message for him: "you're now serving, being held accountable like anybody should be that breaks the rules" and he added "We don't know you. We are merciful. We are forgiving. We are Christian."
Holguin's family plans to hold a memorial service for him next month.
Amber Lee is a reporter with KTVU. Email Amber at Amber.Lee@Fox.com or text/leave message at 510-599-3922. Follow her on Facebook @AmberKTVU, Instagram @AmberKTVU or Twitter @AmberKTVU