State Police Investigate Fatal Dog Mauling in Santa Rosa; Dogs’ Owner Charged

SANTA ROSA, N.M. — A 73-year-old man died Friday after being attacked by two dogs outside his home on Tapia Road, and the dogs’ owner now faces a felony charge, the New Mexico State Police said.

The State Police Investigations Bureau is leading the inquiry into the Aug. 28 attack that killed Randy Wade. The Santa Rosa Police Department and State Police officers were the first to respond before bureau agents took over the case.

Investigators said Wade was outside his home when two dogs belonging to James Campbell, 52, attacked him near a shed. The attack was determined to be unprovoked.

Campbell and a woman were staying at Wade’s home at the time. According to investigators, the woman was outside when she witnessed the attack and called for Campbell, who was inside. Campbell came out and secured the dogs in an enclosure, then moved Wade to the front porch, where Wade was found to be deceased. The woman called 911.

During an interview with investigators, Campbell acknowledged that he knew his dogs had previously been deemed vicious. Investigators also learned the dogs, both pit bull mixes, had reportedly been involved in an earlier attack and had recently been released from an animal shelter.

Campbell has been charged with Dangerous Dog (Death of a Person), a third-degree felony under New Mexico law.

The investigation remains active, State Police said.

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