LONGVIEW, Texas - A Gregg County jury has convicted Martin Gilbert Rodriguez of Attack by Dog Causing Death and sentenced him to 15 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The conviction stems from the February 1, 2024, death of Kenneth Pierson in Longview. According to testimony, a resident walking along Martin Luther King Boulevard heard screams and saw a pack of dogs attacking something in a parking lot near Rayburn Street. The witness returned in his vehicle and discovered Pierson lying with severe injuries to his arms and neck before calling 911.
When Longview police arrived, officers identified a pack of dogs at 2529 MLK Boulevard, Rodriguez’s residence. Authorities were familiar with Rodriguez from multiple prior Animal at Large citations.
Police executed a search warrant at the home and recovered four dogs. DNA evidence collected from the muzzle areas of three of the dogs linked them to Pierson. The autopsy report showed Pierson’s left jugular vein and two major arteries in his arms were punctured, causing him to bleed to death.
Residents testified that the only pack of dogs that routinely ran loose on MLK Boulevard came from Rodriguez’s home. Evidence showed Rodriguez did not have a fence, failed to use leashes and allowed the dogs to roam freely.
At the time of the fatal attack, Rodriguez was on felony probation for Attack by Dog Causing Serious Bodily Injury and had more than 30 outstanding warrants for Animal at Large. Testimony also revealed that in late 2024, Rodriguez attempted to reclaim puppies that did not belong to him, but the Longview Animal Shelter denied his request.
After approximately one hour of deliberation, the jury returned a guilty verdict. The punishment range for the offense is two to 20 years in prison.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Chris Botto and Clayton Haas. The Gregg County District Attorney’s Office credited the Longview Police Department, Animal Control and Longview Animal Shelter staff for their work on the case.
