BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – Sixteen show animals were killed and four were seriously injured after dogs attacked a Somerset Independent School District agriculture barn just days into the new school year.
According to the school district, the animals, which included goats, sheep and pigs, were killed. They were housed inside the Future Farmers of America program’s agriculture barn located in southwest Bexar County.
Somerset ISD said an initial attack happened Friday, but it was not clear what attacked the animals.
However, a second attack on the animals Saturday morning may have involved dogs. A district official said an agriculture teacher who was monitoring the barn saw two dogs leaving.
A district official said the dogs appeared to get through the perimeter fencing.
On Monday, Somerset ISD told KSAT the dogs dug underneath the fencing from a neighboring property to reach the barn, which sits on 10 acres. The district said it is still assessing the cost of repairs.
Both attacks raised concerns about the safety of the students who frequently visit the AG barn to care for their animals.
“The AG Barn has served our students and Agriculture program for more than 40 years, and an incident of this nature has never occurred,” Somerset ISD said in a statement sent to KSAT. “The district is taking immediate steps to increase monitoring and strengthen existing security measures around the property.”
Besides losing animals, FFA students lost time and a lot of money they spent buying and caring for their animals. One parent mentioned their students spent $5,000.
But while the affected students have lost a lot, they are getting support from the Somerset and neighboring communities. The district said it is navigating how community resources will help FFA students during the recovery.
Somerset ISD said it has also offered counseling services through its THRIVE mental health and wellness center.
Most of the remaining animals have been moved from the AG Barn, according to the district. Some of them are now cared for by Somerset neighbors who stepped in and offered to house several of them.
Other neighbors have organized fundraisers and are using their social media to spread the word about a GoFundMe page.
The goal is to help the students buy new livestock so they can take part in the winter and spring show season, including the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo in February.
Somerset ISD Superintendent Jose H. Moreno expressed the district’s gratitude for the community’s response in a letter to families on Monday. The full letter can be read below:
“Our hearts are heavy as we stand with our Somerset FFA families who recently suffered the devastating loss of their show animals. While nothing can erase the disappointment and heartache our students and families are experiencing, we have been deeply moved by the overwhelming response from Somerset and our neighboring communities. The generosity, compassion, and willingness of so many people to step forward in support of our students is a powerful reminder of what makes Somerset such a special place.
“Over the past several days, we have witnessed neighbors helping neighbors, local organizations offering assistance, businesses and agricultural partners donating resources, and countless individuals reaching out with words of encouragement and acts of kindness. This extraordinary outpouring of support has been inspiring and a testament to our community’s strength, compassion, and heart.
“On behalf of the Somerset ISD Board of Trustees and myself, I want to express our sincere gratitude to every individual who has extended a helping hand. Through this difficult experience, our students have demonstrated resilience and our community has once again proven that when one Bulldog family hurts, we all come together.
“We remain committed to standing alongside our FFA students and families as they recover, rebuild, and continue pursuing the dreams and opportunities they have worked so hard to achieve.
Somerset Strong. 🐾"
Somerset ISD Superintendent Jose H. Moreno
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