73-year-old man mauled to death by dogs in New Mexico, owner arrested

SANTA ROSA, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau announced the department investigated a fatal dog attack that occurred Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at a home on Tapia Road in Santa Rosa.

Officials say that the Santa Rosa Police Department and New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officers initially responded but Investigations Bureau agents would later assume the investigation.

Agents learned that Randy Wade, 73, was outside his home when NMSP says two dogs belonging to James Campbell, 52, attacked him near a shed. Investigators determined the dog attack was unprovoked.

Police investigation revealed that Campbell and a woman were staying at Wade’s home, when the woman witnessed the attack and called for Campbell to help. Officials say that Campbell, who was inside the home, went outside and secured the dogs in an enclosure. Campbell had moved Wade to the front porch, where Wade was later found dead, New Mexico State Police say. The investigation included the woman who witnessed the attack called 911.

During an interview with investigators, Campbell acknowledged knowing that his dogs had previously been deemed vicious. Investigators also learned that the dogs, both a pitbull mix breed, 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.

This investigation remains active.