Dog Owner Faces Manslaughter Charges After Fernando Torres Moreno Died After Being Chased Into Lake By Dog Before Drowning GoFundMe Created To Help The Victim’s Family
CALIFORNIA CITY, CALIFORNIA (July 3, 2026) – A 12-year-old boy identified as Fernando Moreno has tragically died in a California city drowning accident after being chased by a dog into a park lake.
Los Angeles County officials are saying that the incident took place on Thursday, June 18. Fernando Moreno was reportedly chased by an off-leash dog before entering a lake.
Unfortunately, the victim began to tread water and ultimately drowned inside of the lake. Authorities have since arrested a 68-year-old dog owner in connection with this incident.
He has been charged with manslaughter and negligent ownership. You can help support the family of Fernando Moreno through GoFundMe.
According to the online fundraiser, “Imagine losing your child at just 12 years old. Fernando Torres Moreno was ready for a great day at the park with his friends and family, but tragedy took him from us too soon. He is survived by his father, mother, two brothers, and two sisters, who are now left picking up the pieces after the senseless tragic accident.”
Liability for Accidents Involving Dogs In California
California is a strict liability state when it comes to dog attacks. Dog owners will generally be liable if their dog causes harm to someone, even if the dog never showed signs of aggression in the past. Pursuant to California Civil Code 3342, “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.” Dog owners should take several measures to prevent an attack.
- Leash: Dog owners should keep their animal on a leash at all times, except in designated off-leash areas.
- Socialization: Dog owners should socialize their animals at a young age to prevent them from being aggressive around strangers.
- Fence: Dog owners should ensure that their animal is properly secured within their home or yard. This may require periodically inspecting and maintaining a property’s fence.
If a dog owner allows their animal to chase someone, which causes injury, this could serve as evidence of negligence. Consider, for example, Delfino v. Sloan, 20 Cal.App.4th 1429 (1993). The plaintiff was seriously injured after she was chased and knocked down by a loose dog in Contra Costa County. The Court of Appeal held that the owner’s violation of the local leash law could support negligence per se. They also made it clear that the lack of a direct bite from the dog was not sufficient to defeat liability for the owner’s negligence.
Steps to Take After Dog Attacks in California
Dog attacks remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury across California and the United States. According to one study in The Journal of Pediatrics, “in the United States (US) alone, an estimated 4.5 million dog bites occur each year. Of these annual dog bite victims, 885,000 seek medical care, nearly 370,000 are seen in emergency departments (EDs), and an average of 16 fatalities occur. Children are highly vulnerable to dog bites and make up a large percentage of dog bite victims.” Several steps should be taken after any dog attack.
- A police report for the incident should be created.
- Any person who may have witnessed the attack should be interviewed early on.
- The contact information of the dog owner should be collected.
- Victims should seek the guidance of a legal team experienced in dog attack cases.
Dog attacks are nearly always preventable. Owners are required to have their animal on a leash in most jurisdictions. Despite this, many people allow their dogs to run free at local parks. It is important for victims of these attacks to understand that they do have legal options. Any person harmed by a dog is able to seek some measure of accountability through civil action. This right extends to the family members of any person who died. They are able to seek some measure of accountability through a wrongful death claim.
Investigating Los Angeles County Dog Attacks
We at Carrazco Law extend our deepest condolences to the family of Fernando Moreno. This tragedy reveals the importance of adhering to local leash laws. If dog owners want to allow their animals off leash, there are designated areas for this to happen. Any person who may have more information about this case should contact the police.
Do you need more information about a Los Angeles County dog attack? Our team of dog attack investigators is here for you. We have a deep understanding of all local ordinances and state statutes related to dog attacks. We are committed to helping the public understand their legal rights and holding all negligent parties accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of assistance, we may be able to help you. You can reach out to us anytime at (800) 541-3244. Se Habla Español.
