In the 15-year period of 2005 through 2019, canines killed 521 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (346) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »
Statistical information gathered by DogsBite.org is verifiable through news reports and other criteria.1 Our Fatality Citations section documents sources used in our dog bite fatality research.
| 2018 fatal dog attacks by breed |
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In 2018, 3 dog bite fatalities involved canines from 2 or more different breeds, thus producing a death count total of 39 rather than 36. Four dog breeds each contributed to 1 death, including: beagle, chihuahua, German shepherd and wolf-dog hybrid. The combined breed group, mastiff/bullmastiff, includes: 1 mastiff-mix and 1 bullmastiff.
Laura Ray, 53-years old, was was mauled to death by a pit bull while working at a pet boarding facility. Ouachita Parish Sheriff's deputies responded to a report of an injured person at The Happy Hound Hotel located at 571 Smith Street in West Monroe about 11:00 pm. They found Laura severely injured by a pit bull being housed at the facility. Her injuries were fatal. Ouachita Parish Police Jury President, Scotty Robinson described the situation as, "horrific and awful." The hotel's owner said the pit bull was being boarded at the facility for the first time and the dog's owner had signed a form saying her dog was not aggressive. The dog was turned over to Ouachita Parish Animal Control and euthanized several days later. According to her obituary, Laura was the mother of five children. Her brother, Antony Carl Williams stated on Facebook, "This is my sister she was killed by a pit bull so bad we can't view her love you miss you rest my baby sister." [source citations]
| Date of death: | January 9, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Kennel client |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | No |
Rylee Dodge, 3-years old, was killed by a pit bull her father acquired from a friend five days earlier. The attack occurred in the 600 block of North F Street. The child's father, Jason Dodge, said he left Rylee with her grandmother. About 20 minutes later, he got an urgent phone call saying Rylee had been attacked. Dodge rushed home to a horrible scene. He opened the door and saw his mother lying on top of the dog and Rylee lifeless. Dodge told an officer to shoot the dog or he would; the officer dispatched the dog. Dodge had been keeping the pit bull in his fenced-in front yard until he was more familiar with it. "She wanted to play with it so bad that she opened the front door and the dog literally attacked her," Dodge said. The dog -- an unneutered pit bull named Remington -- had played with his son in the past without any problems, Dodge said. The state Medical Examiner’s Officer said that Rylee died of multiple sharp and blunt force injuries to her head and neck. The manner of death was ruled an accident. [source citations]
| Date of death: | January 14, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Father |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
David Brown, 46-years old, died after breaking up a fight between his family dogs. Police responded to 2306 Heritage Park Drive in reference to a dog attack and were met by two aggressive dogs. Officers shot the larger dog due to its aggression, killing it. Daviess County Animal Control Director Ashley Clark confirmed that dog was a pit bull. When officers entered the home, they found Brown and his wife on the floor injured and began administering CPR to Brown. He did not survive. The Daviess County Coroner listed the cause of death as cardiac arrest, complicated by a dog attack. Dana was taken to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital where she underwent surgery for her injuries. The fight began between the pit bull and a beagle in the home. Dana intervened and was attacked. When Brown went to assist, he was also attacked, according to Officer Andrew Bell, a spokesman for the Owensboro Police Department. Clark said the family dogs were "well-taken care of" and noted they were "clean and fixed." [source citations]
| Date of death: | February 15, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull and beagle | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Victim |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Aurora Little, 8-days old, was killed by her family's wolf-dog hybrid. Lee County Sheriff Gary Parsons said they received a call about 11:40 am about a pet attacking a child at a home in the Seminary community. By the time deputies arrived, the father was already en route with his injured newborn to Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap. Deputies were told the dog attacked the infant while she was in a bassinet. She suffered "very serious injuries to the upper body and the head," Sheriff Gary Parsons said. "The child had been seriously mauled by the animal," Parsons said. The baby was transferred to Holston Valley Medical Center then airlifted to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where she died just after 4 pm. The 3.5 year old male wolf-malamute mix came from a wolf hybrid breeder in Florida. At the time of the attack, the family was also fostering two young children that had been approved by the Wise County Department of Social Services to live in the wolf-dog hybrid household. [source citations]
| Date of death: | March 7, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Wolf-dog hybrid | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Parents |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Loxli Chavez, 13-months old, was savaged to death by a dog while under the care of her babysitter, Erica Jordan. Cape Girardeau Police did not issue a media release until three days after the baby's mauling death. On March 9, police received a call about 2:12 pm regarding an "animal bite" at a home on North Hanover Street. When they arrived, they found the dog had severely injured the baby. They transported her to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police initially described the dog as a male, 40-pound "mixed-breed" and a family pet. Documents obtained months later from the police report show the dog was identified as a "pit bull mix" by Jordan after the attack and after the same dog bit her son on the head in 2016. On April 5, authorities charged the babysitter, Erica Nicole Jordan, 33, with second-degree involuntary manslaughter, a felony, in connection to the baby's death. Jordan pleaded guilty to the charge in December. She was sentenced to four years in prison January 14, 2019. [source citations]
| Date of death: | March 9, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Babysitter's brother |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | Yes |
Noah Trevino, 4-years old, was killed by a pit bull-mix that belonged to his family for about three years. The attack happened while the child played alone in the backyard of his home in the 8900 block of Twincreek Farm. The male dog, named Bam Bam, was tied to the fence. When Noah entered into the "death radius" of its chain, the pit bull-mix snatched him by the neck and shook him, killing him. "One of the relatives of the child actually looked out into the backyard and saw that the dog had his mouth around the little boy's neck and was shaking him," Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said. By the time family members reached the boy, he was lifeless. He was airlifted to University Hospital in San Antonio, where he was declared dead. Neighbors told news reporters the same dog had escaped the property in the past and killed neighborhood pets. After Noah's death, sheriff's officials said they were trying to confirm those reports. Just two weeks before he died, Noah had celebrated his fourth birthday. [source citations]
| Date of death: | March 25, 2018 | Chained: | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Family |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Hong Saengsamly, 49-years old, was killed by at least one of her three dogs. She was last seen alive on March 23 when her daughter left her home. Her son, referred to as "Jack" in the police report, conducted a well-being check the next day after being unable to reach her. When he entered her home, he found her in a prone position in the kitchen, unresponsive. One of his mother's three dogs, a large black and white pit bull, began guarding her body and became hostile. Jack shot the dog twice, killing it. When police arrived, they discovered the dead pit bull in a room connected to the kitchen. The medical examiner listed her cause of death as "multiple puncture and blunt force injuries due to mauling by dogs." The manner of death was ruled an accident. Jack indicated to police that none of the dogs were violent, and "they had never attacked a person before." Another pit bull and a chihuahua also lived in the home. Both dogs were turned over to the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission. [source citations]
| Date of death: | March 25, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) Chihuahua (1) |
Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Victim |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Gaia Nova, 3-months old, was mauled to death by a family dog. The attack occurred in the baby's home in the 14400 block of Benefit Street, according to police. She was transported in critical condition to a hospital, where she died. "It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we share with you the passing of the baby," LAPD Captain Lillian Carranza tweeted. At the time of the attack, she was under the care of her grandmother. When she stepped away "for a few seconds" to get a bottle, one of the dogs sneaked into the room and attacked her, Carranza said. A fundraiser for the baby's funeral states, "Gaia's life was cut short by a split-second, instantaneous attack by the family dog. It is absolutely unimaginable that such an awful event would occur." Gaia's family had three dogs: a 98-pound rottweiler, an 89-pound Labrador retriever and a 10-pound terrier. All three were taken into custody; none could initially be ruled out. In September, Carranza said the family surrendered the rottweiler for euthanasia. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 5, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Rottweiler | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Family |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Tracy Garcia, 52 years old, was killed by a pack of dogs. The attack occurred on Banyon Road, just off Mary Niblack. Tracy died at the scene due to her injuries. Police shot and killed one of the dogs. The remaining dogs were collected by animal control officers and taken to Westwood Veterinary Hospital to be euthanized by the owner's request. Afterward, the dogs were taken to the Ardmore Animal Shelter. This is when the history of her death diverges into conflicts regarding the breeds of dogs involved. Dr. Douglas Aldridge of the Westwood Veterinary Hospital, the only professional that examined the dogs while they were alive, wrote, "The dogs appear to me to be a pit bull and 4 pit-bull mix puppies." Aldridge also stated that one of the dogs was larger and weighed 55-60 pounds, "that the owner described as the sire to the shorter dogs." Tena Layton, the Co-director of the Ardmore Animal Shelter, who also owns multiple pit bulls claimed, "all of the dogs were under 40 pounds" and six of the dogs were predominantly "standard dachshund" and the other was a "border collie-mix." [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 10, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix (1) and mixed-breed (6) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Both | Owner of dog: | Relative |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Georgia Morgan, 75-years old, was killed by two pit bulls after entering into the dog owner's yard. The attack happened in the 14400 block of Deidra Court. Arriving officers found the woman inside of the fence-in yard, but she had already died. "Through an investigation, we determined that a woman entered a closed property through a gate, shut the gate behind her, and while inside the fenced in yard, was attacked by two dogs," Gulfport deputy police chief Chris Lopposer said. Georgia was known to walk in the Orange Grove neighborhood and collect cans. Residents warmly called her "the can lady." The owner of the pit bulls, Emily Craft, 32, was arrested after the attack on a 2017 warrant for two misdemeanor charges -- having a dog at large and a vicious animal charge. Diana Jones, who lives next-door to Craft, filed the complaint last summer after Craft's pit bulls attacked her Labrador retriever for the second time. Craft surrendered both pit bulls to Gulfport Animal Control. The dogs were euthanized. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 16, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Both | Owner of dog: | Property owner |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Gauge Eckenrode, 6-years old, was killed by his family's pit bull. Blair County Coroner Patricia Ross determined the boy died of blunt force trauma. Rick Vaughan, a friend of the boy's family, said the child's father was cutting grass at his home on Gesser Avenue when he heard the mother screaming and rushed to find "the dog on the boy." Despite the father's actions to get the dog off the child, "It was already too late," Vaughan said. Logan Township Police Chief David Reese confirmed that family members tried to stop the attack by stabbing the dog. The dog was a "rescued pit bull" and had belonged to the family for several years, Reese said. The family had a second dog as well. After the attack, they asked police to remove it from their home for an undisclosed reason. Gauge was a kindergarten student at Baker Elementary. The Altoona Area School District issued a statement extending "sincere condolences" to the boy's family. Counselors were made available for students, staff and faculty members. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 24, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Parents |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Bradley Cline, 62-years old, was brutally mauled and killed by two family pit bulls. On May 23, police were dispatched to a home on Shimmering Glen Avenue about 7:30 pm. Officers found Cline "suffering from serious injuries to his throat, neck, face and other extremities," states the police report. He was rushed to Sunrise Hospital. The household had a total of four pit bulls. A witness in the home said that Cline was attempting to take a female pit bull, named "Terror Vicious Cuddle Bugs," outside when a pair of male pit bulls, Spike and Zeus, attacked the female. When Cline intervened, both males attacked him. The attack lasted up to 20 minutes, states the report. Cline died of his injuries three days later. The the male pit bulls' owner, Cline's son, told police he adopted Spike and Zeus on September 19, 2017 from the Henderson Animal Shelter. The neutered, microchipped, gray and white pit bulls were about 1-year old at the time of the fatal attack, states the report. Both male pit bulls were euthanized. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 26, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Son |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Liana Valino, 9-months old, was killed by a family pit bull while under the care of her paternal grandmother. The attack occurred about 11:30 am in the 2400 block of Kingston Drive. According to police, the child was in a bedroom, in a bouncy chair, and the grandmother was with the child when the dog attacked. She died at the scene. Video footage showed an investigator removing the baby from the home wrapped in a red blanket. The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the baby's death accidental. The child's mother, Brenda Villasin, told reporters that her daughter lived with her, but she often dropped her off at the home of her ex-husband and his mother when she didn't attend daycare. The father's household had three pit bulls, a mother and her two adult offspring. One of the offspring, a male about 3 or 4 years old, inflicted the fatal attack. The family had raised the dog since it was a puppy. None of the dogs had a past history of reported bites, according to the county's animal care division. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 30, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Father |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Paige Bradley, 5-months old, was mauled to death by a dog she had known since birth. Police responded to a home in the 1300 block of Watts Road about 2:55 am in reference to a "frantic 911 caller," according to the Clayton County Police Department. Upon arrival, officers discovered the family dog, a German shepherd, had attacked and killed the baby while she was sleeping. The baby's mother told police she had left the baby in the care of her roommate, a longtime family friend, while she left the home for a few hours. When she returned, she discovered her roommate had fallen asleep in another part of the home. When she checked on her baby, she discovered it dead -- mauled to death -- where she had laid her baby to sleep. The family told detectives the baby had been around the dog since birth and it had never shown aggression to the baby or anyone else in the home. The dog was surrendered to authorities and euthanized. No evidence of neglect was found and no charges were filed. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 10, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | German shepherd | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Roommate |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Jenna Sutphin, 28-years old, was brutally killed by a pet dogo Argentino. The attack occurred in front of her home near Route 4. A trooper from the Prince Frederick Barrack responded after receiving a call from a motorist. Upon his arrival, he found the dog still actively attacking Sutphin in an overgrown area near the highway, adjacent to the front yard of her home. Police shot and killed the animal. Sutphin was airlifted to Washington MedStar Hospital Center in critical condition with bite injuries to the back of her head and neck. She died while hospitalized. Sutphin and her fiance, Jason Hammer, who is a Prince George's County Correctional Center K-9 handler, had a breeding pair of dogos and sold puppies on Facebook. The attacking dog was a male named Rocky. The dog had been living with the couple for about four years. At the time of the attack, Hammer was at a "training session with his new K-9 partner." Hammer had recently undergone a 16-week training program with his malinois-shepherd mix K-9. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 21, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Dogo Argentino | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Victim/Fiance |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Donald Steele, 91-years old, was attacked and killed by his son's dog. The "rampaging attack" occurred June 25 at the Town & Country Mobile Villa in the 4900 block of Sierra Way. The attack promoted a large response from police and paramedics, according to news reports. The dog attacked Steele's daughter-in-law first, who suffered "moderate" injuries, and Steele next, who suffered "critical injuries" while attempting to help her. Steele's son was away at the time. A commenter who cared for Steele as a patient said his injuries were "like nothing I have ever seen before." On June 29, the Humboldt County Coroner's Office issued a press release stating Steele died of "injuries consistent with a dog attack." The manner of death was ruled accidental. The dog was euthanized on June 28. Local reporter Kym Kemp of Redheaded Blackbelt, who knows Steele family members, said that she was told the dog was a pit bull-mix. As of July 24, 2018, the Arcata Police Department has not released any details. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 25, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Son |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Jaelah Smith, 6-years old was attacked in the neck by a dog her family was pet sitting, leaving her with critical injuries. She was unresponsive when emergency responders arrived. She was transported to Memorial Hospital in "severe life-threatening condition," Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said. She was then airlifted to Wolfson Children's Hospital. The attack occurred at her home in the 2700 block of Herrick Drive. Homicide detectives were quickly called to the scene. The family had at least two dogs in the home, a young rottweiler that belonged to the child's mother and a pit bull-mix the family was watching while its owner was away on vacation. Jaelah died two days later. "She suffered irreversible brain injury," Associate Medical Examiner Peter Gillespie said. Her 7 and 9-year old siblings were not harmed in the attack. The Florida Department of Children and Families launched an investigation into her death then closed it a week later, indicating only that the child died when the dog "got out of a kennel." [source citations]
| Date of death: | July 17, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Family friend |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Jaevon Torres, 2-years old, was killed by three pit bulls belonging to his babysitter while under her care. The attack occurred in a two-story rowhouse in the 3000 block of Agate Street. When police arrived, they saw three pit bulls attacking a child on the first floor. Officers open fired through the doorway to reach the boy, who was "bleeding from his head, face, body, both arms and legs," Chief Inspector Scott Small said. Police shot and killed two of the dogs and injured another. Two other pit bulls belonging to the babysitter where caged on the first floor. Medics raced the boy to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in extremely critical condition, where he died. There was no furniture on the first floor -- just five dog cages. There was no obvious signs of dogfighting, police said. When one of the occupants let one dog out of its cage, two others got loose, police said. There were two adult females and one teenager in the home during the attack. As of August 9, 2018 no criminal charges have been filed. [source citations]
| Date of death: | August 1, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (3) | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Babysitter |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Karen Brown, 57-years old, was killed by a loose pit bull while walking in a South Deering neighborhood on Chicago's Far South Side. The attack occurred about 12:25 pm in the 101000 block of South Calhoun Avenue. A large pit bull attacked the woman, biting into her neck and all over her body, police said. A pair of police officers fired nearly 30 bullets at the dog, killing it. She was transported to University Chicago Medical Center, where she died. An autopsy determined Brown died of multiple injuries from being mauled by the dog. Her death was rule accidental. Brown, also known as "Punchi," was well known in the neighborhood. She could always be counted on to lend a hand to anyone in need. A vigil held at the scene of the attack drew over 100 people, including family, friends, former postal workers and even former neighborhood residents. The attacking pit bull was kept in an unfenced backyard along with other dogs neglected in crates, and the owners fled after the fatal attack, neighbors said. [source citations]
| Date of death: | August 4, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Neighbor |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | No |
Olga Rekhson, 64-years old, was mauled to death by two pit bulls while taking her daily walk at a Lake Tillery development. When she did not return home, her husband and friends began searching for her. Unable to locate her, they called 911. Sheriff's deputies and search and rescue were sent to the scene. Within hours, she was discovered dead on the side of an unused road within the development. "An investigation was conducted with the assistance of the Medical Examiner's Office, NC Wildlife Resources Commission and Animal Control. The investigation revealed she had been attacked by dogs," states an August 10 news release issued by the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement located two pit bull dogs "with physical evidence reflecting the dog's involvement," states the release. Sheriff Chris Watkins characterized the deadly attack as a "tragic event" and that the owner of the dogs is "cooperating with officials." As of August 27, 2018, no criminal charges have been filed. [source citations]
| Date of death: | August 9, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Neighbor |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | No |
Gurney Walker, 75- years old, was mauled to death by a pit bull at 408 Buena Vista Avenue. Officers responded to a report of a suspicious event at about 2:30 am. Arriving officers found Walker dead inside the home. Police said Walker sustained injuries from a pit bull that was also inside the home. Cpl. Brad Summerlin said Walker was staying at the home of the owner of the pit bull when the attack occurred. The owner of the dog called 911 for help, but Walker died before Rocky Mount officers reached the home. The Pitt County Medical Examiner was called to the scene with Rocky Mount Criminal Investigations Division. Rocky Mount animal control seized the pit bull. Police do not anticipate criminal charges. "Just because an animal attacks a human being doesn't mean there will be charges forthcoming in a case like this," Summerlin said. "The dog was inside the residence, and you can legally possess a dog inside your residence." As of August 28, 2018, no other information has been released. [source citations]
| Date of death: | August 18, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Tenant/Roomate |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Della Riley, 42-years old, was brutally killed by her own pit bull. Cincinnati Fire responded to 1635 Dewey Avenue in West Price Hill for a report of a person having a seizure. They discovered Riley being attacked by the dog inside her home. Three district police officers responded and encountered the pit bull standing over the unresponsive female. They shot and killed the dog after it "aggressively charged the officers." The Hamilton County Coroner's Office determined Riley was dead prior to the arrival of the officers. The cause of death was due to trauma sustained in the vicious dog mauling. The coroner also determined that one of the bullets shot by police ricocheted off the floor and struck the victim in the abdomen, but her body was already in a post mortem state. In 2014, Riley was attacked by a family pit bull and told friends, "The dog is gone. I'm not going to get another dog." Riley had two dogs in her home when her pit bull ripped her throat out on August 22, 2018 -- a pit bull and a rottweiler. [source citations]
| Date of death: | August 22, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Victim |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Robin Conway, 64-years old, was brutally killed by a pit bull she recently adopted. Howard County police were called to her home on Tamar Drive for a report that a woman had been mauled to death by a dog. Officers found the woman dead in the backyard with "significant injuries." The pit bull, which was tied to a fence post, was behaving aggressively, "barking and lunging." The dog had to be "subdued" and later euthanized. Family members said Conway found the pit bull at an out-of-state shelter two weeks earlier and saved the animal from "being put to death." An autopsy confirmed Conway died of "multiple injuries" due to a dog mauling. A necropsy found no abnormalities or medical issues with the pit bull. Officials did not release the name of the shelter where the dog originated. On September 27, we found the dog online with Conway on August 21. The pit bull, "Snowball," was pulled from the Logan County Pound in West Virginia by a rescue, transported to another location then given to Conway. [source citations]
| Date of death: | September 3, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Victim |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Teena Mawhorter, 74-years old, was killed by a family pit bull-mix. The dog also attacked one of her daughters. At 10:38 am, Siskiyou County Fire received a report of a female "bitten by a dog in the head" in the 5000 block of Serrano Drive. Minutes later, a Siskyou Sheriff's Office deputy was dispatched to the same location. Mawhorter was in the kitchen seated in a chair when the attack occurred, the daughter said. She was taking Mawhorter a glass of water when she saw her reach under the table to pet her dog. "The dog then started attacking Mawhorter causing her to fall out of the kitchen chair," states the sheriff's report. When the daughter tried to stop the attack, the dog turned on her. Mawhorter suffered severe injuries to her face and the back of her head. The dog also ripped off part of her scalp. Mawhorter was declared dead at 11:58 am at Mercy Medical Center. An autopsy determined the cause of death was "severe blunt facial and head trauma." A contributing factor was heart disease. [source citations]
| Date of death: | September 6, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-collie mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Daughter |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Mitchelle Segerdahl, 53-years old, was killed by at least one of his six pit bulls. On September 9, police discovered Segerdahl dead inside his home at 2251 Mitchell Avenue. Two of his six pit bulls were also dead. "Evidence at the scene indicated that Mr. Segerdahl may have been attempting to break up a fight between the dogs when he received a fatal dog bite," stated District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff in a news release. The cause of death was determined to be a dog bite to his neck. Baker City Police impounded the remaining four pit bulls and later euthanized them. A city ordinance requires a kennel permit for households harboring more than four dogs. After being cited for lacking a permit in 2017, Segerdahl obtained a permit on January 3, 2018. "We all knew about the dogs," Police Chief Dustin Newman said. The major issue with Segerdahl's pit bulls is that they would fight each other, Newman said. This degree of "fighting" -- explosive pit bull dog aggression -- resulted in Segerdahl being fatally attacked. [source citations]
| Date of death: | September 9, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Victim |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Susan Sweeney, 58-years old, was killed by a dog her family had recently adopted, according to police. Her husband of 26 years returned from work about 11:40 pm and discovered his wife dead. He called 911. The coroner's office ruled the cause of death a mauling. The manner of death was an accident. Sweeney was alone with the dog at her home in the 5000 block of River Splash Avenue when the animal fatally attacked her. The dog had been adopted from The Animal Foundation three days earlier. One day before the adoption, her husband posted photographs of the dog to his Facebook page, stating it was a male, 3-year old mastiff-mix, weighing 83 pounds. He also asked for advice about the breed, since he had never owned one previously. After her death, The Foundation released a statement saying, it "did not have any information regarding the dog’s prior circumstances that would have led us to believe that he was unsafe." The Foundation euthanized the dog at her husband's request. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 2, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Mastiff-mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Victim/Husband |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Khloe Williams, 7-months old, was brutally killed by a dog while in foster care. Clearwater Police Detective Jonathan Maser was her licensed foster parent. At the time, Maser's mother Pamela was babysitting the infant at her home. Maser's father is former Clearwater Deputy Chief Paul Maser. Despite this conflict of interest, Clearwater police investigated Khloe's death. Paul's wife was preparing a bottle for the baby, when the dog became "a little energetic" in its crate. So she opened the crate door. "The dog immediately goes after Khloe," Police Chief Dan Slaughter said. "This was not a simple bite, this was an attack and the dog did serious traumatic injuries to Khloe," he said. The dog, named "Lynnie," was picked up as a stray on February 23, 2018, and identified as a "pit bull mix type" by Pinellas County Animal Services. The agency later relabeled it a "Retriever/Hound" mix. The dog's first documented bite occurred while meeting Paul on March 26 at the adoption center. No criminal charges were filed. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 5, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Mixed-breed | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Female | Owner of dog: | Babysitter |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Denali Gonzalez, 2-years old, was mauled to death by a new family dog. Brazoria County Sheriff's Office deputies were called to a home in the 3900 block of Morning Dove Street and found the dog had severely attacked the girl. Denali was pronounced dead at the scene. The dog, described as a pit bull-mix then a "cur" mix, was so aggressive when officials arrived they had to tranquilized it with a dart; it was put down at the scene. The child's family was returning home from a shopping trip and carrying in bags when the dog suddenly attacked the girl in the yard, Lt. Varon Snelgrove said. The dog's jaw locked in around her upper torso and throat and it all happened very quickly, Snelgrove said. Denali's brother said the dog was new and had been aggressive since it was brought to the family's home -- the dog even bit him. He said they were in the process of having the dog removed. DNA was taken from the dog, and its exact "breed makeup" will be determined at a later time, according to the sheriff's office. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 12, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Mixed-breed | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Female | Owner of dog: | Family |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Angela Smith, 55-years old, was killed by a family pit bull in her D.C. home. Responders were dispatched to the 1300 block of Dexter Terrace SE for a report of a dog attack. Police found Smith unconscious with multiple trauma wounds. She was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, where she was declared dead. Smith and her husband, Rob Frazier, had owned the dog for 8-years and raised it since it was a puppy. "I just left out the house. It was 15 minutes, and I come back, she was dead," Frazier said, fighting back tears. When Humane Rescue Alliance, the contracting animal control agency for D.C., attempted to seize the large pit bull, it snapped at them. Chris Schindler, Vice President of Field Services of the Alliance, later misled the media and public. While standing in front of a semi-truck sized Alliance transport van branded with large photographs of pit bulls, Schindler deliberately misrepresented the breed by calling the pit bull a "very large breed mix dog -- mixed-breed dog" on television. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 14, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Victim/Husband |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Kristie Kelley, 44-years old, died after being attacked by a solid white mastiff. On October 23, a deputy responded to a home in the 2500 block of County Road 4311 after a report that a woman had been attacked by her dog. An American Medical Response unit was dispatched with the deputy. The victim was airlifted to a trauma hospital in Collin County due to the severity of her injuries. A preliminary investigation determined the victim was alone with the dog when the attack occurred. Her husband discovered her inside the residence when he arrived home. Officials determined that Kelley and her husband lived in the home and were the owners of the dog. On October 27, the Criminal Investigation Division was notified that Kelley passed away while hospitalized. Sgt. Jeff Haines said the dog was a mastiff and was already dead when they arrived. "The dog was euthanized by the husband prior our arrival," Haines said. A report from the sheriff's office showed this was not the first time Kelley had been bitten by this dog. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 27, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Dogo Argentino | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Victim/Husband |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Triniti Harrell, 1-year old, died of her injuries after a family pit bull attacked her. On October 22, Edgecombe County deputies were called to 12039 N.C. Highway 43 North for a dog attack. A deputy arrived to find the pit bull "slinging the child around in its mouth" outside the home. The deputy shot the dog once, which did not stop the dog, then shot it again, killing it. Sheriff Clee Atkinson said, "A lot of law enforcement officers would have been hesitant to take that shot." Atkinson described her rescue as a "character building moment" for his department. During the frantic 911 call, the child's mother can be heard screaming repeatedly, "Kilo STOP!" as the dispatcher tells her to grab a steak knife. "Cut him across the bottom of his neck. It's going to release his jaw muscles," the dispatcher said. As the mother struggled with a knife too dull to fulfill its lethal task, the deputy arrived. Triniti was flown to Vidant Medical Center then taken to UNC Children's Hospital. She died of her injuries six days later. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 28, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Mother's boyfriend |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
April Collins, 45-years old, was killed by her own pit bull that had a history of violence. The attack occurred at 403 Verna Drive on November 1. The victim's husband found her unresponsive when he arrived home about 6:30 pm, Clark County Sheriff Berl Perdue said. She was taken to Clark Regional Medical Center (CRMC) then transferred to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, where she died the next day. Collins was previously attacked by the dog on September 29 and treated at CRMC for facial injuries. The dog bit her again on October 31, the eve of the fatal mauling, but was not reported, Perdue said. Collins also had older wounds on her legs, indicating additional bites. The couple got the male pit bull in July 2017 when it was 9-weeks old, along with a female sibling. The female was not involved in the deadly attack. In February 2019, her husband, Christopher Dale Collins, 41, was charged with first-degree wanton endangerment for allegedly leaving his wife in a situation that could cause harm. [source citations]
| Date of death: | November 2, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Victim/Husband |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | Yes |
Nora Sharp, 19-months old, was mauled to death by a family dog. The attack occurred about 10:15 pm in the 500 block of El Dorado Drive in Red Lion. Emergency medical responders arrived at the home and transported the child to York Hospital. "Despite emergency medical intervention, the female toddler was pronounced dead at 11:03 pm Sunday night," York County Coroner Pamela Gay said. The cause of death was "multiple injuries due to dog attack," the coroner said. Chief Tim Damon of the York Area Regional Police said that one parent was home during the attack and that when responders arrived, the dog and child were separated. According to family members, the dog was a "mixed-breed." However, in the fire and rescue logs at Broadcastify, the dispatcher states, "They are advising that the child is unresponsive and not breathing [undetermined]. Be advised the dog was a bullmastiff that attacked the child's head, face and leg injuries. He's going to be locked away." No charges are anticipated. [source citations]
| Date of death: | November 4, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Bullmastiff | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Parents |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Cecileigh Garris, 6-days old, was mauled to death by a pit bull while under the care of her grandparents. Citrus County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home in the 4100 block of West Ranchetta Street just after 12:20 am after getting a 911 call reporting the attack. According to a Citrus County Sheriff's Office incident report, the pit bull climbed into the baby's crib and attacked the infant while Pamela Garris, the infant's grandmother, was in another room. Deputies arrived to the grandfather performing CPR on the infant, who was still "somewhat responsive," according to the report. One of the deputies took over and began performing chest compressions. The infant was airlifted to Bayfront Health Seven Rivers, where she was pronounced dead around 1:40 am, states the report. Animal control officers took possession of the dog and brought it to the Citrus County Animal Shelter, where it was euthanized, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Lindsay Blair. No criminal charges are expected. [source citations]
| Date of death: | November 11, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Grandparents |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Sharon Daniels, 77-years old, was mauled to death by up to three pit bulls. State troopers were dispatched to a home in the 7000 block of East Mary Avenue for a report of a female that appeared to have been bitten by a family dog. Troopers discovered Daniels unresponsive. "Apparently, there is blood everywhere," a dispatcher told Newaygo County Fire, who was en route to the scene. "They estimated two quarts of blood on the floor," the dispatcher said. "First responders' life-saving measures were not successful," stated a news release from the Michigan State Police. Daniels was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators determined that Daniels, who was disabled and confined to a wheel chair, was home alone with three family dogs when at least one of the dogs inflicted fatal bites to her body. "Multiple dog bites coupled with some underlying health issues" contributed to this being a fatal accident, MSP Lt. Matthew Kanitz said. Newaygo County Animal Control impounded three pit bulls from the home. [source citations]
| Date of death: | November 13, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (3) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Both | Owner of dog: | Relative |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2018 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Esta Currier, 73-years old, was brutally killed by her brother's four rottweilers. Deputies responded to 2258 Olivet Church Road after a report of a dog attack. When they arrived, they found Currier dead near the roadway along with two injured children, ages 7 and 9, who are Currier's grandchildren. Both were airlifted to McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. Deputies shot and killed three of the rottweilers. The fourth dog "ran off," even after being hit with a "body shot," Health Director Bill Smith said. It was later captured and destroyed. Brenda Walters, 56, was injured by a "bullet fragment or flying debris" when the deputies opened fired, authorities said. Walters is the spouse of Currier's brother; the couple owned the rottweilers together. The multi-victim attack occurred shortly after the school bus dropped the children off. Currier was escorting her grandchildren home when the dogs escaped her brother's fenced-in property and attacked the group, according to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office. [source citations]
| Date of death: | December 10, 2018 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Rottweiler (4) | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Both | Owner of dog: | Brother |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | Yes |
Deaths involving minor dog bite injury, dog-related caused injury (killed by a car while fleeing a dog) and cases that lacked a "reasonably clear" determination of death after dog bite injury are not included in our fatality statistical data. Deaths involving fatal non-bite injury (struck by dog death) or deaths due to untreated severe dog bites (sepsis) may be added to our statistical data at a future time.
Fatal Pit Bull Attacks: A growing archive of U.S. fatal pit bull maulings dating back to 1833. Maintained by DogsBite.org.
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