Owners of attacking pit bulls to appear in court on April 29

IN CRITICAL CONDITION | Hilda Cifuentes, victim of a pit bull attack in Aurora. (Photos/Courtesy of the Cifuentes family)

PART OF THE VICTIM’S LEFT LEG WAS AMPUTATED

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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The case of the brutal attack by three pit bulls in Aurora on March 30 has taken a decisive legal turn as the victim, 64-year-old Guatemalan Hilda Lorena Cifuentes, remains in critical condition. After undergoing a total of six surgeries so far, doctors have had to take drastic measures in an attempt to save her life.

The most significant procedure has been the amputation of a considerable portion of her left leg. The ferocity of the attack caused total loss of tissue and nerves, making reconstruction of the limb impossible. “The medical team is now focusing its efforts on the right leg, which also suffered severe damage. They are using medication in an attempt to save the limb,” her daughter Sandy Aparicio told us.

Legal process and responsibility

While the victim remains hospitalized, legal proceedings against the dog owner are moving forward in the city. The owner has been summoned to appear before the Aurora Municipal Court on April 29. Under Colorado law, the case is governed by the principle of strict liability, meaning the owner is automatically responsible if the victim suffered serious injuries while in a place where she had a legal right to be.

Aurora Animal Care Services (AACS) removed the three animals from the property immediately after the attack. After evaluating the severity of the injuries inflicted on Cifuentes and the risk the dogs posed to public safety, all three were euthanized. This is the standard measure in Colorado when a dog attack results in serious bodily injury. “All three dogs involved were euthanized and a report was filed,” said Joe Rubino, spokesperson for AACS.

Rubino added that AACS submitted its report and all collected evidence to the Aurora City Attorney’s Office. “That office will be responsible for presenting the appropriate arguments in court when the case proceeds,” he explained. As of this publication, the report from the Aurora Police Department had not been made available, so it is unclear what charges may be filed against the pit bull owners.

Prior warnings of danger

New details suggest the tragedy could have been prevented. The pit bull owners had moved into the duplex just ten days before the attack. In that short time, neighbors had already filed complaints about noise and the dogs’ aggressive behavior. In fact, the victim’s daughter confirmed that just one hour before the attack, Cifuentes had formally complained to the apartment complex management about the animals.

According to family testimony, the dog owner had responded with hostility to previous warnings from other residents. “They moved in next to my mother just 10 days earlier. My mother has lived there for 15 years, and another neighbor who complained about the dogs has lived there for 18 years. The pit bull owners told the neighbor, ‘If they scare or bother you, then leave.’ Can you imagine that attitude?” Aparicio said. The owners reportedly had about six dogs of the same breed in the home.

A ban that no longer exists

The case has reignited debate over the presence of pit bulls in Aurora. For nearly two decades, the city maintained a strict ban on the breed. However, in November 2024, voters approved removing that restriction. The new ordinance took effect on January 1, 2025.

The ordinance allows pit bull ownership under certain conditions, such as limits on the number of dogs and compliance with animal control regulations. The attack on Cifuentes occurred just over a year after that change, raising questions about its impact on public safety.

Owners of attacking pit bulls to appear in court on April 29 Dueños de pitbulls agresores comparecen en corte el 29 de abril

NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT | Cifuentes is originally from Guatemala.

Support for the family

The case has sparked intense discussion on social media. On one side, family members and neighbors are demanding justice and stricter controls to prevent similar tragedies. On the other, advocacy groups such as “Stop Aurora Pit Bull Ban Team” have urged caution, insisting the issue lies with irresponsible ownership rather than the breed itself. However, some comments have attempted to blame the victim, drawing outrage from users who consider it inappropriate to shift attention away from the attack.

Hilda Cifuentes’ family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds. The money will go toward surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, family expenses, and legal assistance. The family is also asking the community to share the campaign and keep Cifuentes in their thoughts during this critical time.

Those interested in helping can do so at the following link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-my-moms-recovery-after-dog-attack