An Oakland family is grieving the loss of their dog, Pepper, following a violent attack they believe could have been avoided. Tomiquia Moss, California’s Secretary of Housing and Homelessness, shared that her daily walks with Pepper ended tragically when two large dogs allegedly escaped from a nearby park and attacked her pet.
Moss described witnessing the dogs leap over fences and rush towards them. Despite the chaos, she felt helpless as both dogs attacked Pepper, and the owner struggled to regain control. After being rushed to a veterinarian and later to a specialty hospital, Pepper, despite receiving critical care, passed away the next morning.
Moss’s daughter, Torii Lola, was on the phone with her mother during the attack and heard the cries for help without knowing what was happening. In the aftermath, the family sought support on social media, discovering that others had encountered similar incidents involving the same dogs.
The family aims for accountability and increased awareness to prevent future attacks. Moss expressed deep sorrow, describing Pepper as an irreplaceable part of their family. An investigation is ongoing, with the City of Oakland currently unable to comment on the situation.
