Identification Made on Man Found Dead in a Canal
Media Relations – Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
4/15/16 – The Coroner’s Office has released the name of the victim in this case. He is Valente Lopez Aguirre, 58, of Kerman.
4/14/16 – Just before 3:00 pm on Thursday, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call regarding a body found in a canal.
Deputies responded to the area of Barstow and Floyd, north of Biola, and located a middle-aged Hispanic man lying in a dry canal.
Farm workers planting trees in the area discovered the man’s body as they walked along the canal bank. Homicide detectives and members of the Crime Scene Unit interviewed witnesses and collected evidence.
It’s unknown how long the man’s body had been in the canal. It has not been determined if any foul play is involved in this case.
The Coroner’s Office is scheduling an autopsy for the victim. The process should provide them with his identity and a cause of death.
Anyone with additional information on this case should call the Fresno County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867). You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a $1,000 cash reward.
http://www.fresnosheriff.org/media-relations/identification-made-on-man-found-dead-in-a-canal.html
Dogs Likely Involved in Man’s Death; Detectives Seek Public’s Help to Locate Animals
BVN Newsroom
Meanwhile, on April 14th, 2016, homicide detectives investigated another case in this same area, on West Barstow Avenue between Floyd and Bishop Avenues. They located the body of Valente Lopez Aguirre, 58, of Kerman. He was lying in the canal as it was dry at the time. The 
Coroner’s Office determined that Aguirre’s death was caused by an animal attack.
During the investigation, detectives found a group of aggressive dogs in the area. They contacted Fresno Humane Animal Services and asked staff to transport the dogs to their shelter.
Detectives made requests to have the dogs tested for DNA evidence to see if they had anything to do with the death of Aguirre. Results of the tests were inconclusive and did not show the dogs were responsible for killing Aguirre. Fresno Humane Animal Services later returned the dogs to their owner.
Both of these investigations continue to remain open. Anyone with additional information on either case is asked to call Fresno County Sheriff’s Detective Hector Palma at (559) 600-8204, the FSO Dispatch Center at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867). You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a $1,000 cash reward.
Body found in Fresno canal
Joseph Luiz Staff reporter – Jul 8, 2016
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office uncovered the body of a Fresno man in a water-filled canal on July 5.
Robert Simonian
Robert Simonian, 74, was found in a canal along Barstow Avenue between Floyd and Bishop Avenues after he was reported missing on July 4. The Coroner’s Office revealed on July 8 that Simonian died from drowning and that he had bite marks that appear to have been from dogs.
The department said a dog or group of dogs may have attacked him, causing him to fall into the water.
The department said Simonian may have been attacked by dogs while walking along the canal bank. Simonian left his home around 9 a.m. to go for a walk as part of a training exercise. His family called the Sheriff’s Office when he didn’t show up later that morning.
Officers with the department’s Search and Rescue team found shoe tracks near the canal during their search for Simonian and guessed that he may have went in.
The Sheriff’s Office said the case may be related to a similar one in April in which the department found the body of 58-year-old Kerman resident Valente Lopez Aguirre in the canal in the same area. In that case, the Coroner’s Office determined Aguirre’s death was caused by an animal attack.
Read full story: http://hanfordsentinel.com/selma_enterprise/news/body-found-in-fresno-canal/article_c1ee6d68-6b83-5bfe-b0ed-e38b93a59fde.html
74-year-old man’s death may be linked to aggressive dog attack, second in area
BIOLA, Calif. (KMPH) — A dead 74-year-old man found in the canal near Biola Tuesday may have been attacked by dogs.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office says dog bites were found on Robert Simonian’s legs and arms during the autopsy. He died from drowning.
The sheriff’s office says he may have been attacked by dogs while walking near the canal, and the attack could have made him fall in.
Simonian had been missing since for a day before his body was found.
Read more: http://kmph-kfre.com/news/local/74-year-old-man-found-in-canal-may-have-been-attacked-by-dogs
Valente Lopez Aguirre
DogsBite.org reports
58-years old | Fresno County, California
Valente Lopez Aguirre, 58-years old, was discovered dead in a dry canal on West Barstow Avenue between Floyd and Bishop Avenues on April 14. Farm workers nearby found the body as they walked along the canal bank. Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene. The coroner determined Aguirre died of an animal attack. Detectives found a group of aggressive dogs in the area. Five dogs were seized and DNA testing was conducted to establish if the dogs were responsible for Aguirre’s death. The results were inconclusive. On June 16, authorities released the dogs back to their owner. Three weeks later, Robert Simonian, 74, was found dead in the same canal — at this time it was not dry. The coroner ruled Simonian died of drowning, but he also suffered injuries consistent with dog bites. Authorities seized the same five dogs again. No breed information was released. As of February 6, 2017 the investigation remains open and the dogs continue to be held at Fresno Humane Animal Services. [source citations]
Read more 2016 dog bite related fatalites: https://www.dogsbite.org/dog-bite-statistics-fatalities-2016.php#valente-aguirre
Proper Canine Care
Housing
It is ideal that dogs live indoors. Indoor living helps the dog bond and become a part of the family and is also the easiest way to protect pets from the dangers of the outdoors. The majority of dogs do enjoy quality time outdoors. The outdoors is great for playing and exercising. Always make sure your pet is contained by a leash or fence when outdoors. Only well trained, working dogs should ever be off leash, such as police dogs or hunting dogs in the field.
Some dogs live primarily outdoors. Outdoor living can be acceptable as long as the dog is well cared for and its basic needs are met. All outdoor dogs need a shelter or dog house to keep warm and dry in and to provide shade in the summer. The dog should have access to fresh, unfrozen water at all times. It is best that outdoor dogs live in fenced areas. It is not recommended to keep any dog on a chain or tether for long periods of time. This is not healthy for the dog and can create a frustrated animal that can pose potential danger to humans and other animals.
Proper Identification
Most counties require that all dogs and cats be vaccinated against the rabies virus. After the vaccine is administered, the dog is issued a tag to attach to its collar. The tag is made to be visible and easy to identify a dog current on its vaccine. The rabies tag often corresponds to owner information. This can be a way to determine ownership of stray animals.
Identification Name Tags
Additional identification tags can be purchased at local pet stores or online. These tags are meant to easily identify the animal and provide owner information. Most have the animal’s name and the owner’s phone number and/or address on them. Identification tags can be the quickest way to reunite lost dogs with their families.
Microchips
The microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is inserted in the skin on an animal’s back. This chip contains a numerical code that can be read by a scanner and corresponds to owner information. Microchips are highly recommended because they can identify animals that have lost their collars and the additional tags. It is important that microchip owner information is updated every time there is a change in address or phone number.
Proper Veterinary Care
Healthy dogs require proper medical care. The majority of preventative care, such as vaccines, are done on a yearly basis. Some procedures such as spaying or neutering are done once and dental cleanings may be every few years or as needed. It is important to love your pet, but it is also important to be able to provide proper veterinary care. Basic and routine care of a dog can be quite expensive. There is also a chance that the dog may need additional medical care or treatment during the course of the year. It is wise to make sure that your pet has a fund or insurance policy in case of emergencies.
Food
There are a variety of dog foods to choose from. There are lower end, mid end, and quality foods. There are also specialty foods, such as sensitive skin or stomach. It is best to do research into individual brands, different breed recommended nutritional needs, and your dog’s personal needs. Working dogs may require a different diet than general companion animals. Lower end foods do tend to cost less, but often can be less nutritional, require your pet eats more to feel satisfied, and produce more waste from your pet. Most pets can be healthy on mid to high quality foods.
Grooming
Many breeds of dogs require regular grooming visits. These visits usually range from every 6-8 weeks and can vary by breed in price. Dogs that are not groomed on a regular basis can become matted and tangled. Being matted can be very painful to the pet. It is very important to a dog’s health that grooming needs are taken seriously and the dog’s coat is maintained properly.
Collars
Every dog should wear a collar with proper identification attached. There are many types of collars to choose from. There are nylon/leather collars, choke chain collars, pinch collars, and harnesses. Each collar is designed for a different purpose. Nylon/leather are standard collars with a plastic or metal buckle. These collars are ideal for pets that walk easily on a leash. Choke chain collars are metal collars meant to “choke” the dog when they pull. These collars can be effective in controlling a dog, but can cause damage to the dog’s trachea. Pinch collars are designed to “pinch” the skin around the dog’s neck when they pull or get out of control. The pinching is to deter the dog from unwanted behaviors. There is some debate on whether choke chain and pinch collars are appropriate collars or border on being inhumane. The harness is designed to go around the dog’s midsection and back. A harness reduces the amount the dog can pull and does not put pressure on a dog’s throat and trachea. Harnesses are considered effective and humane.
Leashes
Most communities have leash laws, which mean the majority of dogs are required to be leashed when they leave their property. There are several types nylon/leather leashes with different styles and grips/handles. The majority of leashes are effective and appropriate in controlling a dog. The only leash that is not recommended is the retractable leash. This leash usually has a plastic handle and a thin piece of nylon that attaches to the dog’s collar. The handle has a button that lets the handler control how long or short the leash is. The retractable leash does not give the handler proper control over the animal. The thin piece of nylon does allow the dog to be in control and to get too far from the handler holding the plastic handle.
Extras
There are optional dog supplies that owners may choose to purchase for their pet. These items include food dishes, beds, and coats. Currently, the pet industry is a booming industry and many items for your pet’s lifestyle and comfort are on the market. Each individual owner can decide what items to purchase and at what cost for their dog. Many items may improve the quality of life for the pet, but may not be a necessity.
Exercise
The majority of dogs require playtime and plenty of exercise to burn calories, stimulate their minds, and help satisfy their natural urges. Dogs that don’t have enough physical and mental stimulation tend to get bored, which can lead to destructive behaviors. Destructive behaviors can be costly to the owner and often can lead to a dog being surrendered to a shelter or re-homed.
The amount of exercise and play necessary for a dog depends on breed, age and the individual dog. Breeds in the sporting, herding, hound, and terrier groups generally need more exercise and activity to meet their needs than breeds in the toy and non-sporting groups.
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