Florida woman mauled to death in 'thrashing' alligator attack during canoe trip as husband tried to fight off massive beast



A Florida woman was attacked and killed by an alligator while sailing on a canoe on Tuesday afternoon, according to authorities.

A husband and wife were canoeing in a 14-foot boat in approximately two and a half feet of water at the mouth of Tiger Creek near Lake Kissimmee, Florida.

'Gator grabbed her out of the canoe. He tried to fight the gator off. We're at the last place he saw her.'

Suddenly, the canoe drifted over a large alligator.

Citing officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, ABC News reported, "The gator thrashed and tipped the canoe over, throwing both the husband and wife into the water."

The fish and wildlife officials said 61-year-old Cynthia Diekema of Polk County landed on top of the alligator. The husband reportedly attempted to stop the alligator attack but was unfortunately unsuccessful.

WKMG-TV obtained the radio transmission from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, which indicates that the victim's husband attempted in vain to fight off the massive animal.

"Gator grabbed her out of the canoe," a deputy can be heard saying in the audio. "He tried to fight the gator off. We're at the last place he saw her. He left the paddle here where he last saw her at."

The Polk County Sheriff's Office helicopter, PCSO deputies, marine units, and an alligator trapper were dispatched to the scene, the commission said.

Wildlife officials revealed on Tuesday that trappers had recovered an 11-foot-4-inch alligator matching the length description of the gator involved in the fatal attack. Trappers also recovered a second alligator, up to 11 feet in length.

Diekema's body has since been recovered.

The FWC launched a full investigation into the animal attack.

Roger Young — the executive director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission — called Diekema's death a "devastating loss" during a press conference on Wednesday.

Young noted, "While alligator attacks resulting in fatalities are extremely rare, this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the powerful wildlife that share our natural spaces."

Young said of the victim's friends and family, "Our heartfelt prayers go out to them. This is a devastating loss, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy."

This is the second alligator attack in the area since March. A woman suffered an alligator bite on her arm while kayaking on a canal between Tiger Lake and Kissimmee Lake.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urges the public to "never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water."

You can watch a local WTSP-TV newscast on the fatal alligator attack here.

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Man wanted for murder now faces new felony charges after his dogs maul neighbor to death in vicious attack



A Texas man — who is already facing murder charges in a separate case — was hit with new felony charges after his three dogs allegedly mauled a 65-year-old woman to death.

Marshall Garrett, 38, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with three counts of criminal negligent failure to secure his dogs.

Neighbors allegedly told investigators that Garrett's dogs often escaped from their enclosure and were aggressive.

On March 23, Harriette Phillips was walking on her property and was "scanning her backyard looking for something," according to home security video reviewed by police. She was hitting her fence with a hammer, according to court documents.

Suddenly, it "appeared that the defendant's dogs had broken through her fence," according to court records obtained by ABC News.

Three Staffordshire Bull Terriers reportedly attacked Phillips, and she began to scream. She attempted to defend herself by swinging the hammer at the animals.

Det. Ramon Garcia with the Houston Police Department noted that the dogs began "mauling her head, neck area, arms, elbows, and other parts of her body until the complainant was unable to move anymore or scream for help."

The dogs mauled Phillips to death.

Garrett did not witness the attacks but "realized what occurred afterward and called 911," according to court records.

Citing the criminal complaint, People magazine reported that investigators allegedly found the woman's hair and pieces of her clothing inside the stomachs of the dogs.

The three dogs were euthanized under a Texas law that calls for any animal that bites a person to be quarantined for 10 days or euthanized.

On the same day as the fatal dog attack, another neighbor reportedly texted Garrett that he saw the dogs in Phillips' yard. Court docs stated that Garrett replied: "Oh lord, I'm about to get it resolved."

Neighbors allegedly told investigators that Garrett's dogs often escaped from their enclosure and were aggressive. One neighbor told officers with the Houston Police Department that she had recently been bitten by one of the dogs on her finger while attempting to repair a hole in her fence, court documents stated.

Court documents revealed that Garrett is also facing a murder charge from a previous incident.

On Oct. 29, 2024, Garrett allegedly beat a 69-year-old man to death.

Alton Martin and his fiancée met Latrecia Washington in a parking lot and sold her jewelry, KHOU-TV reported.

Washington allegedly attempted to pawn the jewelry but was informed that the jewelry was fake.

Washington tracked down Martin and his fiancée at a store, court documents said. Washington allegedly used her car to block the couple's car in the parking lot.

Martin's fiancée reportedly told authorities that Washington walked Martin out of the store at knifepoint.

Court documents revealed that Washington and Garrett beat Martin with either the handle of a knife or a metal pipe.

Martin died 12 days after the attack. The medical examiner said Martin's cause of death was blunt-force trauma to his head.

Washington reportedly remains at large.

Garrett was arrested for the alleged fatal beating and then released on bond, according to court records. Garrett is now back in jail.

Garrett allegedly has previously been convicted of several criminal offenses, including burglary, criminal trespass, evading arrest, possession of marijuana, and unlawful use of a criminal instrument.

You can watch a local newscast from KRPC-TV regarding the fatal dog mauling here.

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'Savage' pit bulls with cocaine in their systems kill gardening grandmother in 'gruesome' mauling: Lawsuit



An Ohio grandmother was viciously mauled to death by a pair of "savage" pit bulls last year while she was gardening, according to a recently filed lawsuit. The pit bulls reportedly had cocaine in their systems at the time of the deadly dog attack.

Jo Ann Echelbarger, 73, was killed by the pit bulls on Oct. 17. The fatal dog attack took place at the Reserve at Ashton Village — a residential complex in Ashville.

'This case involves the most vicious and savage dog mauling in the history of the state of Ohio and perhaps beyond.'

According to a lawsuit filed on behalf of Echelbarger's family on March 13, the pit bulls "ran around the Reserve's common areas, eventually attacking Jo Ann while she was peacefully gardening."

Echelbarger reportedly was dismembered in the grisly attack.

The elderly woman's 84-year-old husband — who is suffering from Parkinson's and dementia and uses a wheelchair — was not able to help his wife and witnessed the vicious mauling from inside a screened-in porch.

Echelbarger was rushed to the hospital, where she died later that day. Her husband's health reportedly has deteriorated since his wife's death, and he's now in hospice care.

The lawsuit notes that even after responding police officers shot one of the dogs, the animal returned to attack Echelbarger.

Ashville Police Department officers and county sheriff's deputies ultimately shot and killed the pit bulls.

What's more, medical reports found that the pit bulls had cocaine in their systems at the time of the "gruesome" dog attack, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

'How do you not look at them as a villain responsible for killing your mom?'

The owners of the dogs — Adam Withers and his mother, Susan Withers — in February were found guilty of involuntary manslaughter as well as failure to confine and control vicious dogs.

Adam Withers also was arrested for disorderly conduct weeks before the fatal dog attack. Police reportedly said he was acting erratically and his two dogs were running loose in the condo complex.

On Sept. 27, 2024, officers with the Ashville Police Department encountered Withers and his two dogs — who appeared impaired and couldn't stand up.

Withers allegedly admitted to officers that he had snorted cocaine in his garage with his dogs in his presence.

Police bodycam footage shows an officer asking Withers, "Have they ever been exposed to your drugs before, Adam?"

Withers is seen in the video asking the officers to give Narcan to his two dogs.

"I'm not narcaning a dog," the officer replied.

"He's on cocaine and very impaired," an Ashville police officer is heard saying about Withers in the police bodycam video.

The officer allegedly called the Humane Society to collect the dogs but didn't receive an answer. The officer said the dog warden "won't come get them."

The dog warden told WSYX-TV that the officer canceled the request for assistance that same night.

'... some of the most gruesome videos one could ever envision.'

In addition, just weeks before the deadly mauling, a judge ordered the dogs' owners to remove them from the home after several complaints to the homeowners' association, WCMH-TV reported. However, the dogs reportedly were never removed.

USA Today reported that one of the pit bulls attacked another neighbor and killed her goldendoodle dog in October 2023.

Rex H. Elliott — the attorney representing Echelbarger's family — told WSYX-TV, "This case involves the most vicious and savage dog mauling in the history of the state of Ohio and perhaps beyond."

A lawsuit filed in Pickaway County on Wednesday accused the Reserve at Ashton Village Condominium Association and the Pickaway County dog warden of neglect in the grandmother's death.

"The fact is that if the dog warden or condo association had done their jobs, Jo Ann Echelbarger would be alive today, and her family would not have to live with this profound loss or the constant memory of the horrific nature in which she was killed," Elliott said. "These failures resulted in the death of a wonderful 73-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother."

The filing stated, "Part of Jo Ann's harm was the extreme and severe conscious physical and mental pain and suffering she experienced in the moments before, during, and after being viciously attacked and prior to her death. Part of this was caught on some of the most gruesome videos one could ever envision."

Echelbarger's son, Bill Rogers, told WSYX-TV that the officials' response that day was “reckless.”

"I feel like they were gambling with a lot of people's lives that day," Rogers said. "And she was the one who paid the price."

Rogers said of the dog owners, "How do you not look at them as a villain responsible for killing your mom? I'll tell you the truth. I want to make my statement and look him right in the eyes as I do it."

Earlene Romine, the victim's daughter, said, "She did not deserve this. She was tortured, and she suffered. This is not what you expect your parent to go through. This is not what you expect to happen to anyone you love."

The wrongful death suit is demanding compensatory damages exceeding $25,000 as well as punitive damages of an amount to be revealed at trial.

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8-year-old boy 'brutally' mauled to death by dogs; Florida sheriff vows to hold owner responsible, have animals 'destroyed'



An 8-year-old boy was "brutally" mauled to death by two dogs after the child went to pet the "very vicious" animals, according to police in Florida. The sheriff has vowed "to do everything humanly possible" to hold the owner responsible for the violent animal attack and have the dogs "destroyed."

Around 4:55 p.m. Monday, the boy — Michael Millett — was riding bikes with his friend in the Berry Ridge community in DeLand, which is about an hour northeast of Orlando.

'This is a tragedy beyond comprehension.'

The boy reportedly went to pet the dogs — and then tragedy struck.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said at a Tuesday press conference, "It goes from petting, and a very friendly encounter, to the dogs becoming very, very, very vicious and very violent."

A caller allegedly told a 911 dispatcher, "There is a little boy being attacked by two dogs. Oh, my God, please hurry."

According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the frantic caller told the dispatcher: "He is not moving, the boy that is being attacked. He was screaming for help and they pinned him down to the ground and they are like biting him and he is not moving, he is not responding."

The caller said the boy's mother jumped on top of her son to try to protect him from the dog attack.

CPR was performed on the boy, but it was unsuccessful, and Michael was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that one of the dogs is a pit bull and the other is a mixed breed.

The dogs escaped the property, and authorities chased the animals down the road. The dogs were chased back to the property and eventually captured. The dogs were being held in quarantine by Volusia County Animal Services.

Fox News reported that deputies and animal control officers noticed that the dog owner's property was not fully fenced in and that the dogs had the ability to escape easily.

According to the News-Journal, police are investigating allegations that the same dogs were "running wild and killing chickens."

Chitwood said, "These dogs have been terrorizing the neighborhood."

An autopsy determined that the boy suffered 12 severe bites, including injuries to his foot and neck.

'We are going to do everything humanly possible to hold the owner of these dogs responsible, and we are going to do everything possible to make sure that these dogs are destroyed.'

The sheriff said, "What a horrific, horrific incident this was. [The boy was] maliciously mauled, brutally mauled, and killed at the scene."

Chitwood believes the victim didn't suffer long because his wounds were "devastating" and "horrific."

The sheriff added, "I don’t know what anyone can say to ease the immense pain this family is feeling tonight. This is a tragedy beyond comprehension, especially for those of us who are parents and grandparents. I can only ask our community to say a prayer of strength for this family and keep them in your hearts as they face their worst nightmare."

The dog owner — identified as 31-year-old Amanda Franco by the News-Journal — reportedly wasn't on the property at the time of the animal attack.

The paper said of Franco, "A quick search of the Volusia County Branch Jail arrest records showed Franco has been arrested 12 times since 2015 for drug offenses, aggravated battery, battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and a probation violation."

Chitwood said Franco is subject to supervised weekly drug testing and has not been cooperative with authorities.

The Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Volusia County Animal Control Services, and the State Attorney's Office are working together to charge Franco.

"We are going to seek justice for Michael," Chitwood declared, adding that "we are going to do everything humanly possible to hold the owner of these dogs responsible, and we are going to do everything possible to make sure that these dogs are destroyed."

A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help support Michael's family following the tragic loss. The campaign has raised nearly $60,000 at the time of publication.

Police are urging anyone with information on the dogs involved in the attack to contact the Volusia County Sheriff's Office at 386-943-7866.

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Mom-of-three mauled to death days before Mother's Day, her children survive vicious dog attack thanks to 'angel'



A mother-of-three was mauled to death by a pack of "aggressive" dogs in Georgia. The dog attack that happened just days before Mother's Day also left her children injured, one child suffered severe wounds from the tragic incident. The children survived the vicious animal attack thanks to the intervention by an "angel."

A mother and her children were mauled by a pack of dogs on Thursday in Quitman, Georgia. The family was reportedly at a bus stop around 4:45 p.m. when the animal attack occurred.

Deputies with the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint of multiple minors being attacked by dogs.

When officers arrived, they encountered "several aggressive dogs on the property," according to a statement released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Courtney Williams, 35, was found dead by deputies in a nearby yard.

One of the children allegedly flagged down a man driving by the dog attack.

The good Samaritan "helped fight the dogs off and manage to get the kids in his truck," Williams’ sister-in-law Crystal Cox wrote in a Facebook post that included graphic photos of the horrific injuries that one of the children endured.

The man rushed the children to a local hospital.

Cox said the unknown man was a "blessing" and an "angel" to her family.

"Without him, I don't know what the outcome would have been," she wrote.

Cox said that the two children are "fine," but "shook up and still processing things."

A neighbor told WALB-TV, "I do feel for the family and for the kids because now they are going to have to celebrate Mother’s Day without their mother."

Another neighbor told the news outlet that they have been complaining about the lack of animal control for a while.

"People dump dogs all over the county and no one can get help with them because there’s no county animal control. Praying for this woman’s family. This is so sad," the resident said.

Authorities did not identify the breed of dog involved in the attack.

The investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy will be performed by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office to determine Williams' cause of death.

Anyone with information on the deadly dog attack is asked to contact the GBI Investigative Office in Thomasville at 229-225-4090. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS (8477).

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  Kids injured in Brooks County dog attack, mother found dead www.youtube.com 

21-year-old killed in mountain lion attack, younger brother survived - first fatal mauling in California since 2004



A brutal mountain lion attack took the life of a 21-year-old California man, and left his younger with "traumatic injuries," according to authorities.

Two brothers – ages 18 and 21 – were reportedly antler shed hunting in Georgetown, California. A mountain lion attacked the pair in the wilderness of the remote area of Northern California on Saturday afternoon.

During the vicious mountain lion attack, the brothers were separated in the area about 40 miles northeast of Sacramento.

The younger brother called 911 at 1:13 p.m. to report the animal attack, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

Around 1:46 p.m., deputies began searching the area for the brothers.

Deputies and paramedics located the older brother and encountered the mountain lion that was crouched next to the 21-year-old California man on the ground, according to authorities. Law enforcement officers reportedly fired shots "scaring the mountain lion off so they could render aid" to the man on the ground.

Sadly, the older brother had succumbed to his injuries from the mountain lion attack and was already dead by the time emergency crews were able to get to the man.

The 18-year-old brother suffered “traumatic injuries” to his face and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office stated.

Authorities did not reveal the name of the man mauled to death in the animal attack or the younger brother who was injured.

Wardens from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the El Dorado County Trapper were summoned to locate the mountain lion involved in the fatal attack. The mountain lion was located and animal agency agents "dispatched it," according to officials.

Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has reported 13 mountain lion attacks in the state since 2004. There has only been one fatal mountain lion attack in that time period, which happened in 2004. A 35-year-old male was killed by a mountain lion in the Whiting Ranch Regional Park.

There have only been three fatal mountain lion attacks on humans in California since 1994, according to the agency.

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'Absolutely shocked and devastated': Elderly Hawaii man mauled to death by pack of dogs



A Hawaii man was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in a horrific attack.

Robert Northrop lost his life because of a deadly dog attack on Tuesday morning in the Ocean View Estates subdivision. Around 9 a.m., officers with the Hawaii Police Department discovered Northrop unresponsive in the middle of the road.

The 71-year-old man received medical treatment at the scene and was rushed to the Kona Community Hospital. However, he perished before reaching the medical center.

Police said Northrop died from an attack by four dogs.

The New York Post reported, "A neighbor said he heard a commotion outside his Ocean View home and looked out to witness the canines attacking Northrop in the roadway. He chased the dogs away and called 911, according to cops."

Hawaii police chief Ben Moszkowicz said, "There is currently no evidence that the victim provoked this horrific attack. This incident is a senseless tragedy that could have been avoided."

The owners of the deadly dogs were not home at the time of the attack, according to police.

The Hawaii Police Department said in a statement, "The dogs’ owners were not home at the time of the attack; however, they have been identified and contacted by police. Investigators are looking into claims that the dogs had previously been reported as stray animals."

Police are currently treating the investigation as a Negligent Failure to Control a Dangerous Dog case.

The owners surrendered all four dogs, as well as a litter of 10 puppies, to the Hawaii County Animal Control and Protection Agency.

Police are still awaiting autopsy results to determine the official cause of death.

A statement was released by Northrop's daughter, Shannon Matson.

"Myself, and my sister, Anna are absolutely shocked and devastated to find out this news about our dad," Matson said. "While we don’t know all of the details yet, our family is committed to making sure that the dog owners are held accountable and we will do everything in our power to stop this sort of tragedy from happening to anyone else on our island home."

The Hawaii Police Department is urging anyone with information on the dog attack case to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 326-4646 ext. 238.

In April, a Minnesota man was mauled to death by his brother's four pit bulls.

In January, a pack of dogs mauled a 7-year-old boy to death in Idaho despite his mother attempting to intervene.

Last October, a 71-year-old man was mauled to death by seven pit bulls in Texas.

Also in October 2022, three pit bulls killed the elderly mother of their owner in Georgia.

  Family of deadly dog attack victim calls for accountability www.youtube.com 

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6-year-old boy mauled to death by family dog: 'He will continue to live on playing baseball in Heaven'



A 6-year-old boy was mauled to death on Tuesday by the family dog at the child's home in North Port, Florida.

Around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, police responded to reports of a dog attack on a small child. The family's dog attacked the child inside the home. Neighbors rushed to the home to help the 6-year-old Daylan Guillen before police arrived.

"It was inside the home. The dog was in a bedroom, the child walked into the bedroom to get something. Next thing you know, people heard screaming and jumped into action," said Josh Taylor, public information officer of the North Port Police Department.

The boy was flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with extensive traumatic injuries to the upper torso area. Once the child was stabilized, he was flown to Tampa General for additional medical procedures. However, the boy died at Tampa General Hospital from injuries sustained from the dog attack.

The dog, said to be a 3-year-old pit bull mix, was removed from the home and taken by Sarasota County Animal Services, according to the North Port Police Department. The pit bull mix will be quarantined for 10 days then euthanized as per the request of the owners, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office officials said.

The police said they were not aware of any previous incidents with the killer dog.

"From every bit of information we have so far, there’s no history of the dog acting out, which would indicate that something could possibly happen," Taylor said. "The animal lived in the home from basically a puppy, a couple of weeks old, between 2 and 8 weeks, if I’m not mistaken, and you know, was a family pet."

North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison said, "Our hearts are broken for this young child and his family. As a father and pet owner, I know this is one of the worst tragedies you can imagine. We ask that everyone take a few moments to pay respect and reflect on those you care for in your life. Our time here is precious."

Police said no charges had been filed.

Daylan Guillen was an avid baseball fan.

The North Port Little League organization said, "Daylan loved baseball! And he would be at the field with a smile on his face and ready to go. Daylan had no fear with playing with the older kids. He wanted to become a pitcher. He loved the Juniors team and those boys loved him."

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family with medical and funeral costs.

The crowdfunding listing read: "He was such an amazing son and an even better brother. He had a huge love for dinosaurs. He loved to help out with anything."

The campaign said, "He will continue to live on playing baseball in Heaven. He wanted to be a pitcher so he will be up there throwing strikes!"

Daylan's kidneys were reportedly donated to "two other little kids in need."

Between 2005 and 2020, there were 568 Americans killed by dogs, according to DogsBite.org – a national dog bite victim's advocacy group. Of those fatalities by dog attacks, pit bulls were reportedly responsible for 67%.

Time magazine reported in 2014, "Pit bulls make up only 6% of the dog population, but they’re responsible for 68% of dog attacks and 52% of dog-related deaths since 1982, according to research compiled by Merritt Clifton – editor of Animals 24-7, an animal-news organization that focuses on humane work and animal-cruelty prevention."

  Child dies after being mauled by dog in North Port www.youtube.com 

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Pennsylvania woman mauled to death while feeding neighbor's dog with young son nearby



A Pennsylvania woman was mauled to death in a dog attack. The victim was allegedly killed while feeding the dog of her neighbor, who was out of town.

Kristin Potter, 38, went to a neighbor's house in Centre Township in Perry County. The mother-of-two had an agreement to feed the neighbor's dogs – three Great Danes and a French bulldog. The woman had reportedly fed the dogs previously and brought her young son along with her.

While attempting to feed the dogs, two of the Great Danes attacked Potter and mauled her to death. Her young son watched as his mother was attacked before running to get help.

Coroner Robert Ressler said, "He was present at the scene, but I don't think he was there for much of it. As soon as he saw the dogs starting to attack his mother, he ran across the road to have his brother call 911."

The third Great Dane and French bulldog did not attack Potter.

Emergency responders and police officers arrived at the home, but were unable to save Potter from the deadly dog attack. The police were not able to get to Potter until animal control reached the home and tranquilized the assaulting dogs.

The two Great Danes that mauled Potter to death were euthanized by a veterinarian.

State police are investigating the dog attack death. State trooper Kelly Abati said there was not yet a decision if the dogs' owner would face criminal charges.

The dogs' owner said she was "heartbroken."

Wendy Sabathne said, "I’m in shock. I’m in disbelief and I just want to die. I can’t believe this happened."

Potter's younger sister Jennifer Keefer told WGAL, "Kristin just had a very beautiful personality. When you're around her, you just feel better. When you talk to her, you just feel better."

"With all the tragedy that has happened in her life, she still had a high belief in God," Keefer explained. "She was just like that. She felt like there is a reason for everything."

"You can talk to her about anything. She never judged you. She never judged anyone based on anything," Keefer said. "She gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. She always wanted to make up with people. Even people that did her wrong."

"She was just loveable to be around," Keefer added. "Everyone loved her. She was my best friend."

The American Kennel Club noted that Great Danes are "easygoing," but grow to an "imposing" height of 32 inches tall.

"Despite their sweet nature, Danes are alert home guardians," AKC said.

Between 1979 and 1998, there were only seven fatal dog attacks by Great Danes.

Earlier this month, a 65-year-old man was mauled to death man was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in Alabama.

Last month, an 81-year-old Texas man was killed by a dog in San Antonio.

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65-year-old man mauled to death by pack of dogs; woman carries gun to protect herself from dog attacks in town



A 65-year-old Alabama man was mauled to death by a pack of dogs. Dog attacks are allegedly so common in the small Alabama town that one woman has been forced to pack a gun on her daily walks to protect herself.

Joe Cleveland Scott was killed by a pack of dogs in the community of McDonald Chapel, Alabama. Police say the dog attack happened just before 7 a.m. on Tuesday.

A passerby notified authorities after seeing the lifeless body on the road. Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office found Scott unresponsive. Scott was pronounced dead on the scene at 7:08 a.m., according to Alabama.com.

The Jefferson County Coroner's Office performed an autopsy and determined that Scott's death was caused by the injuries "sustained during the dog attack."

Jefferson County Animal Control set up traps and captured the six large dogs suspected to have killed Scott. The dogs were taken to animal control facilities and euthanized.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Lt. Joni Money said, "It is unusual for somebody to be attacked. My understanding from these neighbors is these dogs have been in the area for a while and have not been aggressive."

However, others in the community say loose dogs have been a threat.

Douglas Peterson told WVTM-TV, "[I] had a cat in the backyard. They grabbed it, killed it and left it. Boom it's over. It could be pretty bad when they get together."

Consuella Lewis — who lives down the street from where the dog mauling took place — said there have been dangerous dogs in the neighborhood since at least 2021. Lewis told ABC 33/40 that she is so fearful of the roaming packs of dogs in McDonald Chapel that she carries a gun and a cane to protect herself during her daily walks in the neighborhood.

"I actually have to have my gun on me just to walk because the dogs are vicious," Lewis explained. "I would give a warning shot in the air for the dogs for them to 'shoosh' off and that worked at first but as they got used to it they just was like, 'We can still bite her she ain’t going to do nothing.' That’s when I started with the stick for bite marks and stuff.”

Lewis said she had contacted Jefferson County Animal Control on multiple occasions regarding the roaming dogs in the neighborhood. However, she claimed that she was never given a response.

Allison Black Cornelius — the CEO of the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and representative for Jefferson County Animal Control — conceded that they had received calls, but admitted that a lack of staff prevents them from taking action.

"We've got 5 ACO’s, I think Birmingham has 6 or 7. It’s just we can't hire enough people to catch all of these dogs and make people safe. We need to prevent it," Cornelius told the TV news station.

Cornelius blames the increase of threatening dogs on irresponsible pet owners.

"Stop breeding dogs. If you’re not a responsible breeder of dogs you need to get out of the backyard puppy business because that is exactly who’s contributing to this," Cornelius said.


WATCH: “I actually have to have my gun on me just to walk because the dogs are vicious," said Consuella Lewis.

Lewis has lived in Mcdonald Chapel for more than 40 years. The amount of unkept and aggressive dogs she sees in her neighborhood has become a huge concern. @abc3340 pic.twitter.com/1SylrafCX8
— Kyra Purvis (@KyraPurvis_TV) March 2, 2023
 

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