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.
| 2020 fatal dog attacks by breed |
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In 2020, 5 dog bite fatalities involved canines from 2 or more different breeds, thus producing a death count total of 52 rather than 46. Five dog breeds each contributed to 1 death, including: American bully-mix, Belgian malinois, bull terrier, cane corso and Labrador retriever.
Kay Torres, 52-years old, was killed by a pack of dogs on tribal land, according to a dispatch log provided by Taos County. A caller reported seeing Torres' body surrounded by a group of dogs that were attacking her midmorning near the intersection of Leaf Arrow Lane and Willow Lane, states the log. The caller fended off the dogs with a stick. When the dogs moved away, the caller could see bite marks on Torres' arms and legs. "It appears that Kay Torres was killed by a pack of dogs," Taos Pueblo Tribal Police Officer James Gladeau reported from the scene, according to the log. Torres had worked for Taos Pueblo Head Start and Taos Public Schools over the years, according to her sister, Sandra Bible. The log report did not indicate how many dogs were involved in the attack, the breeds of dogs involved or if the dogs were captured. As of January 18, 2020, the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator has not released its official findings. FBI Public Affairs Specialist Frank Fisher, however, confirmed that her death showed “no evidence of homicide." [source citations]
| Date of death: | January 8, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Unreleased | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Unreleased |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | Unreleased |
McKenzie Terwell, 4-months old, was mauled to death by a family pit bull while her mother was asleep on the couch. The infant died of exsanguination (bleeding) due to extensive soft tissue damage, according to Montgomery County Corner, Dr. Kent Harshberger. The manner of death was ruled an accident. On January 9, just before midnight, police were dispatched to a home in the 100 block of Vermont Avenue after reports of an infant not breathing. The baby's father, Parker Terwell, called 911 after he arrived home and found the infant alone lying on the floor and not breathing. Terwell said the baby's mother, Mary Shoup, was asleep on the living room sofa. Terwell informed officers that "Shoup is on prescription medication." These prescriptions included various benzodiazepines and SSRIs, according to an affidavit seeking a search warrant. Terwell also told officers he had thrown a Marijuana bong into the kitchen trashcan before police arrived, according to the affidavit. As of February 8, 2020, no criminal charges have been filed against the infant's mother. [source citations]
| Date of death: | January 9, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Mother |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | Pending |
Donald Abner, 55-years old, died after being attacked by a pit bull and a female friend. Deputies were dispatched to a home on Pug Lane around 3:45 am after receiving a 911 call from a neighbor who witnessed a woman assaulting a man and commanding her pit bull to attack him. Arriving deputies found Melissa Wolke, 38, on top of Abner punching him in the face, while her dog attacked him. Police shot and killed the dog due to its aggression and had to Tase Wolke to get her off Abner. The Rockcastle Coroner's Office said that Abner suffered dog bite wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Wolke was arrested and charged with murder. "She appeared to have blood on her hands and feet, and had a large clump of hair in her hands that was consistent with the victim's hair," according to Wolke's arrest citation. Wolke later told Kentucky State Police that she was going "redneck" on the man and that she was the owner of the pit bull named "Denali," a former fighting dog. In October 2022, Wolke pleaded guilty and was later sentenced to 20 years in prison. [source citations]
| Date of death: | January 10, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Friend |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | Yes |
Julian Connell, 1-month old, was killed by a family pit bull-mix. The attack occurred in the 1900 block of Greenbush Street. Police were dispatched to the home after the infant's teenage brother called 911 just after 11:30 am. The pit bull had been "fighting" with the family's beagle prior to attacking the infant. "The two dogs were engaged in some sort of a fight in the bedroom where the infant was staying," Lafayette Police Lt. Matt Gard said. The baby's brother was able to separate the dogs and take the beagle out of the room. When he returned, he found the pit bull had attacked the infant. An officer shot and killed the dog to reach the infant and begin life-saving aid. Connell was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A preliminary autopsy showed the infant died from "multiple sharp force injuries" after sustaining dog bites to his head and neck, the Tippecanoe County Coroner said. The manner of death was ruled an accident. The infant's mother, Jennifer Nicole Connell, 38, was later charged with three counts of felony neglect of a dependent. [source citations]
| Date of death: | January 25, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Female | Owner of dog: | Mother |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | Yes |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Harvey Harmon, Jr., 76-years old, was killed by up to four dogs. The attack occurred at his home on Mississippi Highway 14 West, near the McAdams and Sallis area. He was discovered dead in his front yard at 9:30 am on January 30. When Attala County deputies arrived, all four dogs were at the scene, two pit bulls that belonged to Harmon's nephew and two mixed-breed stray dogs. His body was lying near one chained pit bull; the other pit bull had broken free from its chain. The two stray dogs were nearby. Harmon appeared to have been dragged from his wheelchair by the four dogs, Attala County Coroner Sam Bell said. Harmon died at the scene of "blunt force trauma due to a pit bull attack." The nephew and the dogs lived with Harmon. According to the nephew, "they weren't aggressive dogs, but clearly, they were aggressive that day," Sheriff Tim Nail said. "The owner did take responsibility and agreed to have the dogs euthanized," Nail said. A veterinarian was called to the scene and euthanized three dogs. One of the strays fled and was never found. [source citations]
| Date of death: | January 30, 2020 | Chained: | Mixed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) Mixed-breed (2) |
Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Nephew |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Sterling Ver Meer, 5-years old, was killed by a family pit bull while under the care of a babysitter. The attack occurred just before 3:00 pm at a residence in the 15100 block of Portland Street in Oro Grande, an unincorporated area in San Bernardino County. One adult witnessed the attack and called 911. Arriving deputies found the boy with traumatic injuries. "The child succumbed to his injuries before law enforcement and fire officials arrived," the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said. The child lived at the home where the attack occurred. Two relatives, a female cousin and an uncle, were babysitting the child while his parents were away at work. The two left the child alone briefly in a stand-alone playroom in the backyard. When they returned, the pit bull had the child by his neck and "would not let go," according to the 911 caller. After the deadly attack, the female cousin told a local media outlet, "Don't trust pit bulls. They can change at any moment." The dog, a male pit bull named "Thor," was 12 years old, according to family members. [source citations]
| Date of death: | February 10, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Relative |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Devin White, 25-years old, was killed by his own pit bull that also attacked three family members. On February 8, at approximately 9:15 pm, Plainfield police officers responded to a residence in the 22900 block of Judith Drive for a report of a dog bite. Upon arrival, officers found a male pit bull inside the home acting in an "aggressive manner." Police shot and killed the dog after they were unable to gain full control of it while trying to reach the victims. Police located four victims in the second story of the home. White suffered "severe injuries" to his arms. He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Joliet then transferred to Loyola University Medical Center. Three other adult victims were taken to local hospitals, where they were treated and released. "The initial investigation indicates the dog, which was owned by the victims, was unprovoked and attacked for an unknown reason," states a news release by the Plainfield Police Department. White died two days later while hospitalized as a result of the injuries sustained due to the dog attack, police said. [source citations]
| Date of death: | February 10, 2020 | 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 |
Corey Godsey, 13-years old, died after being attacked by multiple dogs in the Emmalena community in Knott County. Kentucky State Police were called to the scene on KY-1102, also known as Montgomery Creek Road, about 6:30 pm. Godsey was discovered dead in a wooded area 1,500 feet up a hillside behind a residence, according to police. Rain and dark conditions made finding the teenager difficult. Knott County Coroner Corey Watson was called to the scene as a suspected "canine attack involving a child." An autopsy performed at the State Medical Examiner's Office in Frankfort determined that Godsey died due to "injuries consistent with an animal attack." At the time of the attack, Godsey was staying at a relative's home, but he was familiar with the area. In August, six months after the attack, DNA evidence collected at the scene matched several dogs that police located on an old mine site near the area where Godsey was found. Police stated they do not know the types of dogs involved in the attack, reported the Troublesome Creek Times. [source citations]
| Date of death: | February 18, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Unreleased | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Unreleased |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | No |
Lee Becham, 76-years old, was killed by up to three dogs. On February 23, at about 5:08 pm, Becham was found dead in his yard in the 1900 block of Marshall Mill Road. There were "signs of bite marks" to his body, Crawford County Sheriff Lewis Walker said in a statement. Coroner Sheldon Mattox confirmed that Becham had severe dog bite marks on both of his extremities. Three dogs belonging to a neighbor were suspected, a pair of pit bulls and a Labrador retriever-mix, but were not seized by authorities at that time. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducted the autopsy. On March 5, Sheriff Walker released the preliminary cause of death, "traumatic injuries due to dog attack." Walker said in a statement, "Three dogs that are suspected in this case have been removed from their owners." On March 10, 2020, Samuel Arthur Brown, 55, and Angel Ann Brown, 52, of Crawford County, were arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to his death. Becham served in the U.S. Army and was a Vietnam War veteran, according to his obituary. [source citations]
| Date of death: | February 23, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) Labrador retriever-mix (1) |
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: | Yes |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Geraldine Hamlin, 64-years old, died after being attacked by two family pit bulls. The attack occurred on February 27 at approximately 10:00 pm inside her residence in the 2900 block of Seventh Street in north Shreveport. Police said the dogs inflicted multiple bite injuries on her arms. "The patient's arms are bleeding really badly," states dispatch logs from Shreveport Fire, who responded to the scene. Hamlin was transported to Ochsner LSU Health hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries early the next morning. The victim shared her home with her son and the two dogs, Shreveport Police Corporal Angie Willhite said. "Her son had been gone and when he arrived back at the house he found his mother with multiple dog bite injuries to her arms," Willhite said. The two dogs were very familiar with the victim, she said. "I believe they had owned [the canines] for four years is what I've been told," Willhite said. "The pets were no strangers to the family," she said. Both pit bulls were taken into custody by animal control and were humanely euthanized. [source citations]
| Date of death: | February 28, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Son |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Beverly Dove, 60-years old, was fatally mauled by a pack of dogs while taking a walk. Dove was a resident of Home Sweet Home, an assisted living facility in Washington County. Dove was taking a walk near the facility when the dogs attacked her. Washington County sheriff's deputies responded to a 911 call about a dog attack just after 4:00 pm. Upon arrival, deputies found Dove severely injured "on the side yard of an adjoining property," states a press release issued by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. "A couple deputies were first on scene," Washington County Sheriff Kevin Crews said. "It was a pretty horrific scene. One like they had, in their careers, never been to." Dove was transported to a local hospital, where she died. Investigators believe the five dogs involved in the attack lived on an adjoining property of the group home and were unlikely to be stray. All five dogs were removed, authorities said. Possibly up to three were shot at the scene, according to a local commenter. As of May 11, 2020, no further information has been released. [source citations]
| Date of death: | March 3, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Unreleased (5) | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Property owner |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Demi Witherspoon, 2-years old, was mauled to death by a family pit bull. Police and paramedics were dispatched to a residence in the 5600 block of Darby Close at approximately 1:53 pm for a dog bite, according to Misty Holley with the Portsmouth Police Department. When officers and paramedics arrived, they found the 2-year old child with life-threatening injuries. The child was transported to a local hospital, where she died. In the audio dispatch log from Portsmouth Police and Fire, the dispatcher said the child suffered critical bite injuries to her face. "We have a pit bull who just bit the complainant's daughter's face completely off. She's not breathing," the dispatcher said. After Engine 3 arrived at the scene, the fireman reported, "We have a pit bull that's covered in blood here." The owner of the dog surrendered the 1-year old male pit bull to Portsmouth Animal Control, which placed the dog into a 10-day quarantine. One neighbor told reporters the family had just moved in a day or two earlier. As of March 15, 2020, the case remains under investigation. [source citations]
| Date of death: | March 9, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Unreleased |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Roger Kirk, 69-years old, died seven days after a violent pit bull mauling in southwest Arkansas. The attack occurred on March 19, south of Horatio on a back road near the Little River Country Club, according to his brother. Roger was transported to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences for treatment. On March 20, his brother posted to his Facebook page that he was in stable condition after a three-hour surgery. He suffered severe trauma to both arms, according to his daughter. He was scheduled for another surgery on March 22. On the morning of March 26, his brother posted an update on Facebook. By this point, Kirk had undergone multiple surgeries. His condition had worsened too, including doctors finding a fistula, which is caused by complications in surgery or by injury. He was moved to ICU. "He will not be discharged anytime soon," states the post. By 2:20 pm, his brother and son announced his passing on Facebook. Our request for confirmation to the Seiver County Sheriff's Office has gone unanswered since April 6, 2020. [source citations]
| Date of death: | March 26, 2020 | 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: | Unreleased | Criminal charges: | No |
Frederick Shew, 70-years old, was mauled to death by his mastiff. Portland police officers were called to his home in the 6900 block of Southeast Clatsop Street at about 10:30 pm on April 11. Housemate Kenneth Miller later told The Oregonian that after hearing the thud outside his door, he found Shew's large dog, "Thor," shaking Shew's neck "like a ragdoll." He was sitting there, Miller said, "and blood was shooting out of his neck." Miller tried to save his friend, who was no match for the dog, an intact male mastiff that Miller estimated to weigh over 130 pounds. Miller was able to wrestle the dog away from Shew, but it was too late. Shew had purchased "Thor" for $3,500 as a 4-month old puppy two years earlier. Leading up to the fatal attack, Miller said the dog, "about took my nose off" and before that incident, he, "bit me through the hand." Neither incident was reported at the time. Multnomah County Animal Services took "Thor" into custody on the morning of April 12. The dog was immediately humanely euthanized "due to the substantial risk" the dog posed. [source citations]
| Date of death: | April 11, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Mastiff-mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Victim |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Sharon Baldwin, 60-years old, died after being mauled by a pit bull. The attack occurred on March 28 in the 800 block of East Hammond Street at Baldwin's residence. A man who also lived at the home told animal control officers he had taken in the stray pit bull about week earlier. He had been keeping the dog at the house while he looked for the dog's owner. He told authorities the dog had not caused any issues in the week prior to the deadly attack. Though the beginning of the attack was unwitnessed, investigators speculated Baldwin "ran over the dog with her wheelchair and/or fell on top of the dog." The dog attacked her arm, shoulder and neck. She was pronounced dead on April 12 at John Peter Smith Hospital at 10:33 pm. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office listed her cause of death as "mauling by canine." The manner of death was ruled an accident. Fort Worth Animal Care and Control held the dog in their custody for two weeks, and euthanized the animal on April 13, but stated they did not know the age or gender of the canine. [source citations]
| Date of death: | April 12, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Roommate |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Doris Arrington, 59-years old, was killed by four unsecured dogs on April 22 in New Chicago, a neighborhood in North Memphis. The attack occurred around 8:00 am in the 1200 block of Capital Avenue, according to the Shelby County District Attorney General's office. Police were dispatched to the area and found Arrington's body. Authorities said she suffered severe trauma to her legs and arms. Her cause of death was "massive blood loss." After the attack, police located four dogs with blood on their mouths and coats. A grand jury later indicted three people in connection to her death. Phyllis Jones, 61, her daughter Kimberly Jordan, 40, and Jordan's son Dedricz Perry, 22, each face reckless homicide charges for owning the dogs involved in the attack. Multiple complaints had been made to Memphis Animal Services and the Mayor's Action Center prior to the attack, according to prosecutors. Breed information was not released by prosecutors, but Jordan owned at least two adult pit bulls that she bred. In February 2019, she tried to sell these puppies on Facebook. [source citations]
| Date of death: | April 22, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bulls (2) Unreleased (2) |
Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Mixed | Owner of dog: | Neighbor |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | Yes |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Roxie Parker, 60-years old, died "following a dog attack that left her with injuries too extensive for recovery," according to her obituary. The attack occurred on April 20 inside a home near Highway 99 and Martin Road in Welsh, family members said. Before her death, her daughter Sarah posted to Facebook that her mother was "viciously attacked by a dog a few days ago and is in ICU, not responding. The artery in her neck is unable to be worked on because it is so mangled, and oxygen isn't getting to her brain, which is now swelling a significant amount. Her neck and arm suffered many fractures. She lost the majority of the skin on her scalp and all but a piece of one ear. She was bleeding out for hours on the ground before she was found." Parker died at a Lafayette hospital on April 24. The Jefferson Davis Parish Sheriff's Office confirmed the dog involved was a male bull terrier and that Parker had raised the dog with the owner since it was a puppy. The owner was at work when the attack occurred. Upon arriving home, he called 911 then shot and killed the dog. [source citations]
| Date of death: | April 24, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Bull terrier | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Boyfriend |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Infant John Doe, 6-months old, was fatally mauled by a family pit bull. Police agencies and animal control officers responded to a Temecula residence at about 1:15 pm. The baby boy had been attacked by the family dog, a female spayed pit bull, according to a spokesperson from Animal Friends of the Valleys, which contracts animal control services for the city of Temecula. The attack occurred at the baby's grandparent's home; the baby and his mother also lived at the home. The dog had been living in the home for over six years, according to the animal control agency. At the time of the attack, the baby was in a walker near his grandmother when the pit bull, "without warning attacked the child," the agency said. The dog was impounded, euthanized and sent to the Riverside County lab for rabies testing. The results came back negative, according to the animal control agency. This baby's death was not reported by any news media outlets. As of October 10, 2020, our nonprofit is waiting on an information request from the Riverside County Coroner's Office. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 1, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Female | Owner of dog: | Grandparents |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Dr. Nancy Shaw, 62-years old, was found dead in a ditch after being mauled by four loose pit bull-mixes. About 3:00 am that morning, an officer patrolling the area spotted a car on Skyline Boulevard, pulled over on the wrong side of the road, car running and the door open. He "got out of the patrol car to investigate and found a female that was deceased in the ditch," Lyons Police Chief Wesley Walker said. Police recognized the victim as Dr. Nancy Shaw, a long-time internist at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vadalia. Autopsy results confirmed that she died from multiple bites of animals. On May 8, police identified and seized three dogs involved in the attack; a fourth dog was shot and killed by a resident after the animal attempted to break into the man's chicken pen. The three dogs were described in animal control records as one brown and white pit bull-mix and two black pit bull-mixes. The dogs belong to the same owner. In August 2021, Gregory Van Mosley, 65, of Lyons, was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to her death. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 7, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix (4) | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Mixed | Owner of dog: | Homeowner |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | Yes |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Lisa Urso, 52-years old, died due to injuries inflicted by one or both of her dogs. Urso was found mutilated and dead on the patio outside her home in the 600 block of Knollwood Road just after 4:30 pm. Police described the scene as "gruesome." Both dogs had blood on their coats. The larger brindle dog, "Blue Bear," had bitten Urso's boyfriend on April 13 and April 21. At least one of those bites was severe. After the last bite, Lake County Animal Care and Control placed the male, 55-pound dog into quarantine. The dog was returned to Urso at her request on April 30. Nine days later, Blue Bear likely perpetrated the fatal attack. "The lady wanted her dog back and it attacked her viciously and killed her," Fox Lake Police Chief Jimmy Lee said. Urso self-identified both dogs as "Shorty bullies," a "designer" bull breed unrecognized by the AKC and UKC. The Shorty bull is recognized by the American Bully Kennel Club and is described as a mixture of 3 to 5 different bull breeds, including: French bulldog, English bulldog and Staffordshire Bull Terrier. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 9, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | American bully-mix6 | 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: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Robert "Robby" Taylor, 9-years old, was savaged to death by a pair of pit bulls belonging to his neighbors. Robby's mother called the Faulkner County Sheriff's Office at 9:15 am saying her son had not returned from checking the mail. Deputies responded to her Mount Vernon home and found the boy dead in a nearby field. After questioning two individuals about the attack, two dogs were taken into custody from a residence off Chambers Lane. Trey Edgar Wyatt, 25, of Vilonia, was arrested and charged with felony tampering of evidence in connection to the boy's death. Wyatt was also charged with multiple county animal ordinance violations, including: hazardous animals running at large and harboring a dangerous dog. Wyatt was also charged with drug-related felonies: possession of controlled substance, a Class C felony, two charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, Class D and B felonies, and weapons possession during controlled substance offense. In January 2021, Wyatt's girlfriend, Lisa Young, who also owns the dogs, was charged with negligent homicide. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 28, 2020 | 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: | Yes |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Skylar Headrick, 11-years old, died after being attacked by family dogs. A Murray County sheriff's deputy was dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of Dunn Road West at approximately 1:45 am regarding a possible dog attack. When the deputy arrived, Skylar's sister said she discovered her dead on the floor of her room in the basement. The father said the "two Neopolitan mastiffs had blood on them, and he believes they attacked her." He also said the two dogs had never been aggressive "towards anyone except when they fight with each other." Skylar was last seen alive about 11:00 pm, when she came upstairs to get a bandage for her heel after one of the dogs had scratched her. The Murray County Deputy Coroner, Alan Robins, said the preliminary cause of death "is blunt and sharp force trauma," which is "consistent with a bite from a large dog." Her body was transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab to determine the exact cause of death. Both dogs were euthanized on June 1 at the Murray County Animal Shelter. [source citations]
| Date of death: | May 31, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Neapolitan mastiff (2) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Mixed | Owner of dog: | Victim |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Brice Sanders, 2-years old, was fatally mauled by a pit bull while visiting a home in Stockton. On June 1, a GoFundMe was started for his mother, "In Loving Memory of Brice," her 2-year old son. No information was provided about how he died. The boy's family lives in the Bay Area. Posts from social media indicated he was killed in a dog attack that occurred outside of the Bay Area. Over the course of a week, our nonprofit confirmed the attack did not take place in San Francisco County, Suisun City, Gilroy, Sacramento County or Solano County. On June 10, anonymous information was provided to us, stating the attack occurred in Stockton. On June 11, the Stockton Record reported the attack occurred on May 31 at about 9:00 pm at a home in the 4400 block of Giselle Lane in southwest Stockton's Weston Ranch neighborhood. The boy was taken to a local hospital then airlifted to the University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, where he died early the next morning, according to police. Stockton police also confirmed the dog involved was a pit bull. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 1, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Friend of friend |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Katie Amos, 70-years old, was killed by four family dogs. The attack occurred at approximately 10:35 am in the 3900 block of 167th Place, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, and later confirmed by the Country Club Hills Police Department. Amos died at Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest at 11:03 am that morning. Responding officers were forced to fire on the dogs to enter a fenced-in area where Amos was found lying on her stomach surrounded by four dogs that were "aggressively biting the victim," states the police report. One of the dogs was shot killed at the scene; the other three fled into a neighbor's yard. The dogs lived at the location where the attack occurred. The victim's son, Merrill Amos Jr., who also lives at the residence, posted images of four pit bull puppies for sale on Facebook several months earlier. He called them "champions," and his asking price was $700 each. On June 23, 2020, we received confirmation from the Country Club Hills Police Department that the dogs involved were pit bull-cane corso mixed breeds. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 3, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-cane corso mix (2) Cane corso-pit bull mix (2) |
Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Son/grandson |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Infant John Doe, 6-weeks old, died after being bitten by a family Belgian malinios. Minnehaha County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 900 block of Trojan Avenue in Hartford at approximately 5:40 pm. Hartford Area Fire and Rescue arrived first and found the infant with "several bite wounds" from a dog. Audio dispatch log files from Minnehaha County Fire Dispatch 1 (and the Minnehaha County Call Log) indicate the call was in response to a cardiac arrest, not a dog bite. There were multiple dogs in the family's home, according to the dispatch files. The baby was flown by helicopter to a hospital but did not survive his injuries. The Belgian malinois was taken into custody by the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society. Photographs published on Facebook by the boy's parents showed the family had at least five large dogs in the residence: a male Belgian malinois, a male German shepherd, a male Belgian tervuren, a female great dane and a golden retriever. The dog that killed the infant was euthanized at the request of the family. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 11, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Belgian malinois | 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 |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
"Coco" Portes Morilla, 86-years old, died four weeks after a rampage attack carried out by two family pit bulls. On May 22, at about 8:00 am, multiple units were dispatched to a home in the 4600 block of Tiffany Woods Circle regarding a disturbance involving a dog bite. An arriving deputy was met by individuals "screaming saying that two dogs had gone crazy." The deputy located three victims, a husband, his wife, and Coco, who suffered bite injuries to her face and neck and a bite causing an open fracture on her wrist. All three victims were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center. According to the autopsy report, Coco died of "complications of multiple dog bites." Contributing factors were Dementia and chronic heart disease. Family members said the dogs attacked Coco for an "unknown reason" then attacked the husband and wife who intervened to help. Coco's grandson had to "use a frying pan on the dogs" to stop the attack. The family had raised the pit bulls since they were puppies. There were no media reports about this attack. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 20, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male/Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Grandson |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Barbara Cook, 72-years old, was killed by her daughter's two pit bulls. St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s deputies responded to the 600 block of Nancy Street at about 2:15 pm. Both pit bulls were still attacking Cook when they arrived. Deputies were forced to fire on the dogs, killing one. After applying a tourniquet to stop the victim's bleeding, deputies located the second pit bull. They were forced to shoot that dog too. A child at the scene, who tried to stop the attack, received superficial injuries but was not bitten. A neighbor sustained bite wounds and was treated by paramedics at the scene. The victim was transported to a hospital where she died. The dogs belonged to one of Cook's daughters, Janell Callender. Both Janell and her husband lived at Cook's home with their dogs. This was not the first time Cook was bitten by Janell's dogs, according to her other daughter, Charlotte Guidry. "They bit her in the face and throat, on the lip, gave her a black eye," Guidry said of the previous attacks. Guidry also confirmed the dogs had a recent litter of puppies. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 25, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Mixed | Owner of dog: | Daughter/Son-in-law |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Jonah Jellison, 23-months old, was mauled to death by a loose pit bull. The attack occurred in the 9900 block of Private Road 3820 in the Easy Living addition of Hawk Cove, near Quinlan. Hunt County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the scene at approximately 11:10 am in regards to a dog bite. The first deputy at the scene observed the toddler in a gravel roadway "who had suffered major trauma as a result of a dog attack." The toddler was transported by ambulance to Hunt Regional Medical Center in Quinlan but did not survive. Investigators believe the child had gotten out of his own enclosed yard unbeknownst to family members and walked a short distance down the gravel road before being attacked by the dog, or a pit bull or pit bull-mix, Hunt County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jeff Haines said. The dog had been in a yard enclosed by a four-foot chain link fence but was able to escape the yard and attacked the toddler in the roadway. Justice of the Peace David McNabb ordered an autopsy. The dog was seized and is being held at a local animal control facility. [source citations]
| Date of death: | June 29, 2020 | 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 |
Donald Ryan, 62-years old, was mauled to death by his own pit bull. Just after midnight on July 1, Jeffersonville police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 800 block of West Larkspur Drive for reports of a person being attacked by a canine. The first officer who arrived at the scene found a man "actively being attacked by a large pit bull," states a news release issued by the Jeffersonville Police Department. The officer attempted to stop the attack by using pepper spray but was unsuccessful. The officer was forced to open fire on the dog, killing it, to stop the vicious attack. Officers at the scene attempted to render medical aid to the victim until EMS arrived. Paramedics were able to attempt to administer aid when they arrived, but the man had succumbed to his injuries and died. Ryan had one or more pit bulls in his residence, according to his Facebook page. A female pit bull that he owned had a litter of puppies in 2017. Ryan stated on the photo the puppies were "full blooded pits." It is unknown if the attacking dog had a history of violence. [source citations]
| Date of death: | July 1, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Victim |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Marley Wilander, 1-year old, was killed by a pit bull while her family attended a Fourth of July party. Joliet police and fire crews were dispatched to a home in the 1800 block of Cumberland Drive at approximately 1:27 am for a report of a 1-year old bitten by a dog. She was transported to Saint Joseph Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 3:33 am. The Will County Coroner's Office said she "sustained multiple injuries due to being wounded by a dog." The homeowners hosting the party had locked their two pit bulls in the basement during the party, according to police. The baby's parents, who were guests, had placed her in a playpen in an upstairs bedroom prior to the attack. "At sometime during the night, the dogs got out of the basement," police said. "The homeowner went upstairs to investigate a noise and located one of the dogs actively biting the toddler." He pulled the dog off the toddler and called 911." The canine was turned over to the Joliet Township Animal Control and euthanized. The other pit bull was not suspected in the attack. [source citations]
| Date of death: | July 5, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Family friend |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Scarlett Pereira, 1-year old, was killed by a pit bull while under the care of her grandparents. East Providence police were dispatched to 99 Brookhaven Drive at about 2:45 pm for a "disturbance and confrontation," according to police. Upon arrival, police located the child with "significant injuries" due to being attacked by the family dog. She was transported to Hasbro Children's Hospital, where she died. Two adult family members were taken to Rhode Island Hospital for injuries sustained while attempting to intervene in the attack. Family members managed to contain the dog, a pit bull, in the backyard of the home. A police officer climbed onto the roof of the home and open fired on the dog, killing it. "They scaled the roof, I heard two shots, then another two shots, and then they just cleared everybody out," neighbor Heidi Dorazio said. Police Chief William Nebus said the attack was "unprovoked." The dog belonged to the child's grandparents, but was unlicensed in the city, police said. The Rhode Island Department of Children Youth and Families was notified. [source citations]
| Date of death: | July 16, 2020 | 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 |
Infant John Doe, 7-months old, was attacked and killed by a family pit bull while under the care of his great-grandmother. Akron police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1300 block of South Hawkins Avenue in West Akron at approximately 3:48 pm to assist emergency medical responders at the scene. When they arrived, they found the child unresponsive with serious injuries from the dog. The child's great-grandmother, 77-years old, who had been holding the baby in her arms when the dog attacked, was also injured by the dog. The great-grandmother was babysitting the boy when the attack occurred, police said. An ambulance transported the child to Akron Children's Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The great-grandmother's injuries were minor, and she refused treatment at the scene. The family dog, a 7-year old pit bull, was removed from the home and taken into custody by Summit County Animal Control. Police do not anticipate criminal charges, Akron Police Lt. Michael Miller said. The child's identity was not released. [source citations]
| Date of death: | August 7, 2020 | 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 |
Stephen Pemberton Sr., 61-years old, was killed by his stepson's two pit bulls, according to the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department. Deputies were dispatched to 309 Campus Drive in unincorporated Belleville at approximately 1:40 pm. Upon arrival, they found Kelly Knaup, 45, who told them his dogs had attacked his stepfather. Knaup's wife and a health care worker were also in the home during the attack, but in a separate room. They could hear the violent attack happening, but could not leave the room they were in, police said. The dogs were usually kept in a laundry room when Knaup left the home. It is unknown if the dogs escaped or were let out by the victim. Animal control officials seized both pit bulls, a male and female. "While precautions were taken to keep these dogs away from others in the home, obviously that did not work," sheriff's Capt. Bruce Fleshren said. "And there was a very high price paid to keep these dogs." Pemberton was an artist, a published poet, and a gifted musician. He was also a U.S. Army veteran, according to his obituary. [source citations]
| Date of death: | August 26, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Mixed | Owner of dog: | Stepson |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Carolyn Varanese, 84-years old, was killed by a dog her son had adopted several weeks earlier. Margate police were dispatched to a residence in the 6100 block of Southwest 1st Street at approximately 9:40 pm. Carolyn died of her injuries at the scene. Her son, Joseph Varanese, who tried to stop the attack, was transported to Northwest Medical Center with serious bite injuries. The dog attacked as Joseph was helping his mother back to her wheelchair after using the restroom. The dog "just went berserk," Joseph said. "I flipped the dog over, slammed him on the ground -- that didn't help, he came back stronger. I hit him with the leg of the wheelchair -- it didn't even faze him," he said. It was later confirmed that the dog, "Smokey," whose previous name was "Axon," was taken in by Miami-Dade Animal Services (MDAS) on June 16 as an injured stray with a host of illnesses, including being heartworm positive. On August 7, Mastiff Recue of Florida Inc., pulled the dog from MDAS and gave it to the Varanese family. The canine was put down after killing Carolyn. [source citations]
| Date of death: | August 28, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull-mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Son |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Karen Wilkerson, 76-years old, was mauled to death by one of her daughter's two pit bulls. The multi-victim attack occurred on Fannie May Drive in the afternoon when the victim's daughter dropped her off at her sister's home. The younger sister said that as she drove away, she looked in her rearview mirror and saw her mother on the ground being attacked by two pit bulls. She turned around and ran to give her mother aid and her sister also ran from her home to help. Both sisters were bitten and injured while trying to help Wilkerson, officers told the McCurtain Gazette. All three women were transported to McCurtain Memorial Hospital in Idabel. Wilkerson suffered "extremely severe" facial lacerations, a partially amputated left leg and numerous other bites. She was being transferred to a regional hospital when "her vital signs crashed," reported the Gazette. The ambulance returned to McCurtain Memorial Hospital, where she later died. The deceased woman's husband put both pit bulls down, officers told the Gazette. No other information was released. [source citations]
| Date of death: | September 11, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (2) | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Female/Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Daughter |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Jacqueline Robinson Downs, 32-years old, was killed by three dogs. At about 10:30 am, deputies were dispatched to 45 Allegra Drive in Gray Court after reports of a woman on the ground surrounded by three dogs, according to the Laurens County Sheriff's Office. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the female was already deceased. Animal Control removed multiple aggressive dogs from the scene. An autopsy determined the cause of death was "mauled by dogs," according to the Laurens County Coroner's Office. Jacqueline's father, John Robinson, who lives in Kentucky, told local media outlets, the pit bulls "tore her up. They tore her all to pieces." Robinson also vowed to change state laws. "I want the laws changed. I will go to my last breath," he said. Through the investigation, it was determined the dogs belonged to 35-year old Jeffery Sullivan, of 25 Millennium Drive. Sullivan was charged with involuntary manslaughter and three counts of misdemeanor possession of a dangerous animal in connection to her death. Sullivan was initially denied bond. [source citations]
| Date of death: | September 29, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (3) | 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: | Yes |
Infant John Doe, 4-weeks old, died after being bitten on the head by a family dog. Investigators were called to Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center at about 5:15 pm to assist officers with an investigation of an infant that had been attacked by a family dog. The baby's parents told the detective the attack occurred at their home in the 3300 block of Airport Road just before they rushed the baby to the hospital. The infant was in a swing in the living room and was actively crying. The dog, a gray and white male American bulldog-mix, was lying in the living room and suddenly attacked the baby in the swing. The baby was stabilized then flown to the University Medical Center in El Paso, where he died of his injuries. The medical examiner's office said the baby suffered a puncture on the top right side of the head and the top of the head had been partially scalped, states the police report. The father told the animal control officer that he had owned the 5-year old dog its entire life and had never seen it act in such a way. The dog was euthanized after a 10-day quarantine. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 2, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | American bulldog-mix | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Father |
| Spay/Neuter: | Yes | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Zachary Willis, 27-years old, was killed by a pit bull living in his home. The canine also attacked an adult female inside the home, inflicting severe bite injuries. On October 8, Grant County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the Harvest Manor Mobile Home Park in the 4800 block of Airway Drive NE at approximately 11:20 am for a report of an animal attack. Moses Lake and Grant County first responders tried to resuscitate Willis at the scene but could not. Willis was pronounced dead at the scene. The female suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries consistent with a dog attack. She was transported to Samaritan Hospital. After an autopsy was conducted, Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison said that Willis died due to "multiple dog bites." The manner of death was ruled an accident. The sheriff's office identified the dog involved as a pit bull that lived at the home with the adults. The dog was injured during the vicious attack and taken to a local veterinarian for treatment. The dog will be euthanized following a 10-day hold, the Grant County Sheriff's Office said. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 8, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Roommate |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Infant Jane Doe, 4-months old, died after being mauled by a dog inside a family housing residence on Schofield Barracks. The infant was in a car seat when the dog attacked. The attack occurred just before 5:00 pm at the infant's home on Hall Street. Military emergency personnel and police responded to a 911 call about an infant who had sustained serious head injuries after being bitten by a dog. The infant was transported to the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, where she was pronounced dead. The Honolulu Police Department is leading the investigation. Police said the incident has been classified as an "unattended death." Col. Dan Misigoy, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii said, "Our hearts go out to the family during this difficult time. No parent should suffer the loss of their child." According to the Island Palm Communities Pet Policy for housing, certain dog breeds are not allowed on Schofield Barracks, including: pit bull terrier, rottweiler, doberman pinscher, chow chow, presa canario, cane corso, Neapolitan mastiff, wolf and, wolf-dog hybrid. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 14, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Unreleased | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Family |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | Unreleased |
Ruthie Mae Brown, 36-years old, was killed by at least seven dogs as she walked along a rural road in Nauvoo. The Walker County Sheriff's Office responded to the 2300 block of Jagger Road at approximately 2:00 pm. When deputies arrived, Brown was already dead. "We are not talking about just gaping wounds," Walker County Coroner Joey Vick said. "One of her feet was completely dislocated from her ankle." One dog owner claimed two of the dogs involved. Authorities captured several other dogs that are believed to be pets, not strays. The Walker County Sheriff's Office believes seven or eight dogs were involved. No information about the breeds of dogs involved was released. Robin Johnson, who lives in the area and carries a stick when she walks, said the roaming dog pack was known to be aggressive. "I've seen them actually attack a deer," she said. "They are really aggressive dogs." The victim's mother later filed a wrongful death suit against the dog owners, Dana Hopper and Daniel Key, according to the complaint. No criminal charges were filed. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 19, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Unreleased (7) | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Mixed | Owner of dog: | Homeowner(s) |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | No |
Curtis Wickham Jr., 26-years old, was killed by three pit bulls. The attack occurred at a residence in the 5000 block of West Admiral Boulevard. Tulsa police officers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 6:00 am due to a "shots-fired" call. Arriving officers found Wickham had been severely mauled by dogs. Wickham was transported to a hospital, where he died. Police determined that a neighbor had fired a single shot into the air to stop the dogs from attacking. Wickham had gone to the home of his former-girlfriend that morning to retrieve his cell phone. This led to a fist fight between her new boyfriend, Benjamin Ryan Spence, and Wickam and led to Spence's pit bulls attacking Wickham. Prosecutors charged Spence with second-degree murder for directing his dogs to attack Wickham, and assault with a deadly weapon for throwing a TV at Wickham, while he lay on the floor suffering "massive injuries" inflicted by the dogs. After striking a plea deal, Spence pleaded no contest to second-degree manslaughter. He was sentenced to four years in prison. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 22, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull (3) | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Homeowner's boyfriend |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | Yes |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Michelle Carr, 2-months old, was killed by a family dog while sleeping. At about 3:16 am, Hampton Public Safety Communications received a call of a "vicious canine that had killed an infant" at a residence in the first block of Scotland Road, the Hampton Police Department said in a statement. Prior to the officer's arrival, the dog had been "shot outside the residence" by its owner, police said. When officers arrived, they observed a small infant that had sustained injuries consistent with a dog attack. The infants' parents were sleeping in their bed when they were "awakened by a large amount of motion," police said. The infant had been in an electronic swing next to the bed when the dog attacked. The child's father observed the extensive injuries to the infant and immediately killed the dog. "The family states that the canine had not been previously aggressive and are fully cooperating with the investigation," Hampton police said. The fatally attacking dog was a male, 8-year old German shepherd-mix, named Lane. There are no criminal charges pending. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 26, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | German shepherd-mix | 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: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Donald Allen, 65-years old, was killed by a dog pack while walking down a rural roadway. His body was discovered about 7:48 am on Kirkland Road. Investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) believe he was killed by a pack of roaming dogs. During a press conference, Jackson County Sheriff Lou Roberts said that Allen had been driven to a residence the night before. After he left that house on foot around 10:00 pm, he was attacked by the dogs about a mile away. Allen's own home was about six miles away. "Evidence collected from the scene and the victim's clothing has been sent to the University of Florida for possible DNA identification of the breed of dog that attacked Mr. Allen," Sheriff Roberts said. An autopsy confirmed that Allen's fatal injuries were a result of the dog attack, he said. On November 23, the JCSO released photos of a dog pack believed to be involved taken from trail cameras. The pack contains four white American bulldogs, two pit bull-mixes and two large-mixed breeds. As of November 26, 2020, no other information is known. [source citations]
| Date of death: | November 18, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | American bulldog (4) Pit bull-mix (2) Mixed-breed (2) |
Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Mixed | Owner of dog: | Pending |
| Spay/Neuter: | Pending | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Off | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Dion Bush, 14-years old, was fatally bitten by a long-haired German shepherd his mother had imported from Poland in February for her breeding operation, Lakeview Shepherds. After the boy went to tend to the dogs and did not return, his father, who was incapacitated with a medical injury and could not leave the home, called authorities for help. Otter Tail County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to perform a welfare check at the residence shortly after 3:00 pm. When they arrived, they discovered the teen dead in the yard outside of his residence. The dog was standing near the body and was "extremely aggressive" towards law enforcement. Deputies shot and killed the canine at the scene. The dog was sent to North Dakota State University for a necropsy. At the time of the fatal bite, Dion's mother was trying to sell the dog "Ully," which was advertised as 4-years old. According to a potential buyer, the dog had done "show training and bite work" while in Poland. The Lakeview Shepherds website was removed from the web a few days after the teenager's death. [source citations]
| Date of death: | December 10, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | German shepherd | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Mother |
| Spay/Neuter: | No | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
Erick Quinn, 46-years old, was killed by a pit bull while visiting a friend's east side neighborhood home. Joliet police were dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of Arthur Avenue at approximately 6:21 pm for a report of a dog attack. When police arrived, Quinn was found unresponsive with "extensive injuries" to his body. He was transported to Silver Cross Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to a Joliet Police Department news release, two people at the house "were involved in a loud argument. The dog, a 5-year-old pit bull terrier named Kaedo (Kaito), became agitated by the argument. (Quinn) attempted to intervene to calm the dog, at which time the dog began repeatedly attacking the victim." The two women were arguing about money, Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English said. "He stepped in to calm the dog and that’s when the dog turned on him," Sgt. English said. An autopsy conducted by the Will County Coroner's Office showed that Quinn died of "multiple injuries due to a dog attack." Joliet Animal Control took custody the dog. [source citations]
| Date of death: | December 17, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Non-family |
| Sex of dog: | Male | Owner of dog: | Friend |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
Adult Jane Doe, a 74-year old female, died after being attacked by a family pit bull. Tallahassee police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of Campbell Street at approximately 6:20 pm in response to "animal call where the woman involved was unresponsive and not breathing," reported the Tallahassee Democrat. Police said she was attacked while trying to break up a fight between two pit bulls in the residence. "As the victim was attempting to break up a fight between two of the dogs, another dog attacked her," Tallahassee police spokeswoman Alicia Turner stated. She died shortly after the attack. Investigators determined there were four adult pit bulls living at the home and nine young puppies. The attacking dog was euthanized at the request of the owner. The remaining three adult pit bulls were returned to the owner, "as they were not involved in the incident," police said in a statement. The nine puppies were surrendered and placed into foster care until they are eligible for adoption. The victim’s identity was not released by police. [source citations]
| Date of death: | December 20, 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Pit bull | Relationship to dog: | Family |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Unreleased |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | No |
| On/Off property: | On | Criminal charges: | No |
| Breed ID image: | 2020 Fatal Dog Attack Breed Identification Photographs | ||
An adult "Jane Doe" was killed by multiple dogs in Kayenta in the fall of 2020. Her death was first reported by the Navajo Times on October 29, 2020. Her death became more widely known after a proposed ordinance (0088-21) that amended Title 17 of the Navajo Nation Code -- Criminal Nuisance; Vicious Dogs -- was discussed by the 24th Navajo Nation Council in June 2021. The bill gained traction after 13-year old Lyssa Rose Upshaw was killed by a pack of dogs in Fort Defiance on May 16, 2021. The bill was rediscussed in January 2022 (0002-22) and signed into law in May 2022. The Kayenta woman was not identified by name. She was described as "such a little thing, 80 pounds soaking wet," who had been staying at the Tohdenasshai Shelter Home, a domestic violence shelter. Prior to her death, she had transitioned to her own home and had gotten a good job within walking distance. Her body was found behind a building. Investigators concluded she was killed by dogs. [source citations]
| Date of death: | October 2020 | Chained: | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breed of dog: | Unreleased (4) | Relationship to dog: | Unreleased |
| Sex of dog: | Unreleased | Owner of dog: | Unreleased |
| Spay/Neuter: | Unreleased | Multiple dogs: | Yes |
| On/Off property: | Unreleased | Criminal charges: | Unreleased |
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 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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