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Posted on June 22, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Dies After Amputations Due to Violent Dog Attack in Unincorporated Harris County

Nicolas Vasquez died after suffering multiple amputations due to a severe dog attack.

Man Dies of Injuries
Huffman, TX - A man died Sunday after being attacked by three loose dogs on June 9 in northeastern Harris County. Before his death, doctors were forced to amputate both of his lower legs. Calvin Stoy, a neighbor, heard dogs barking and the moans of a man just after 9:00 pm. Stoy found Nicolas Vasquez, 51, lying in a ditch off Havard Road. "Both legs were torn up bad, hands and arms. He had bites on his head. He was in really bad shape. He lost a lot of blood," Stoy said.

A GoFundMe was established for Vasquez, who was known by friends as "Mickey." On the night of June 9, "Mickey was brutally attacked and almost eaten alive by 3 aggressive dogs as he was on his way home from the neighborhood corner store as he’s done for years," states the fund's organizer. "As a result of this dog attack he’s lost both of his legs, currently on life support fighting for his life in the ICU, waiting for a liver transplant due to organ failure," states the fundraiser.

A June 21 update indicated that Mickey had passed away. According to his sister-in-law, Maria Castillo, this was the second time the same dogs attacked Vasquez this month. Harris County Animal Control seized all three dogs. The Harris County Sheriff's Office reported they found a hole in the owner's fence and the dogs had blood on them. Four days later, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez asked the public for help with the investigation of Nicolas Vasquez's vicious dog attack in a Tweet.

@HCSOTexas needs your help with the investigation of a dog attack of Nicolas Vasquez. Mr. Vasquez was attacked by three dogs on Thursday June 9, 2022 and is in critical condition. The attack occurred at the intersection of Havard Road and Knoll Lane in Huffman. 1/2. If you or anyone you know has had any interaction with the dogs or the dog owners please contact Deputy Turner with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crime Unit. 2/2 - Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, June 13, 2022

A person on the Huffman-Talk Facebook group announced his death on June 19. Kelly Vasquez, the victim's niece, told KRIV that by the time Stoy found her uncle lying in the ditch, "[the dogs] pretty much were eating him at that point." Vasquez suffered bite injuries all over his body. After both lower legs were amputated, doctors had to amputate one of his arms too, she said. "His body couldn’t take it anymore," she said. Kelly's mother, Castillo, hopes for "justice from the law."

By June 20, news reports indicated that one dog belonged to one neighbor and the other two dogs belonged to a different neighbor. It was the latter pair of dogs that had bitten Vasquez on the ankle less than two months earlier. Stoy and Kelly said the dogs had a history of chasing people and being aggressive. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said that investigators will meet with the Harris County District Attorney's Office to determine if any of the dogs' owners will be charged.

By June 21, one of the dogs began being identified as a Labrador-mix. Despite neighbors saying these dogs had been an ongoing problem, Harris County officials said they had no previous reports on the dogs. In 2020, Veterinary World published a study of risk factors for dog bites in unincorporated Harris County, which includes Huffman. Pit bulls had the greatest frequency of bites (25.07%), and the greatest frequency of severe injuries (49.57%), the study found.

There were 6683 dog bites reported to HCVPH between the years of 2013 and 2016, with stable incidence rates over time. The incidence was highest for both children and older adults. Dogs with the primary breed of Pit Bull had the greatest frequency of bites (25.07%), with the second highest breed being Labrador Retrievers (13.72%)...

Dog sex, dog breed, and confinement status were all found to be significant predictors of severe injury in the multivariate logistic model ... Pit Bulls had the greatest frequency of severe injuries (49.57%), followed by Labrador Retrievers (12.92%) and German Shepherds (7.69%). The odds of a severe injury by a Pit Bull is 213% higher than the odds for dogs of all other breeds (excluding German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever)....

Nicolas Vasquez, multiple amputations, pit bull attack

Two of the dogs involved in the death of Nicolas Vasquez in unincorporated Harris County.

The third dog involved in the death of Nicolas Vasquez in unincorporated Harris County.

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View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: Texas Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Baseline reporting requirements:
Law enforcement departments across the United States should release consistent "baseline" information to the media and the public after each fatal dog mauling, including these items.

Posted on June 16, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Person Killed by Pack of Dogs on the Hopi Reservation in the Village of Hotevilla, Arizona

In mid-June, a person was killed by a pack of dogs on the Hopi Reservation.

Media Release
Village of Hotevilla, AZ - Another person has been killed by a pack of dogs on a U.S. Indian reservation. The fatal dog mauling occurred last weekend on the Hopi Reservation, which constitutes a land area of 2.5 thousand square miles and is surrounded entirely by the Navajo Nation. This death occurred less than two weeks after we published about this issue: Escalating Fatal Dog Maulings on Tribal Lands - Have Covid-19 Conditions Been a Contributing Factor?

"This latest attack is one of several over the past few months that include dog bites, amputation, and in this latest case, injuries so severe they lead to the victim's death," states a June 13 release by the Hopi Tribe's Department of Public Safety and Emergency Services. Tribal officials will not be releasing the victim's identity, age or gender. At the very least, the Hopi Tribe confirmed the person was killed by dogs, tribal authorities at the Wind River Reservation won't even do that.

The release also addresses Ordinance #61, which passed in 2016 and addresses small animal bites and attacks, preventing the spread of disease, and educating responsible pet ownership on the Hopi Reservation. Unlike the Navajo Nation's new ordinance that specifies criminal charges, including prison time for certain offenses for dog owners, the Hopi ordinance only has civil penalties and fines. The ordinance was published in the Hopi Tutuveni on October 17, 2017.

"A tragedy such as this affects our entire Tribe both on and off the reservation," said Hopi Tribal Chairman Timothy Nuvangyaoma. "It has also led us to develop a calculated response in enforcing the Hopi Animal Control Ordinance to help prevent occurrences from ever happening again."

The "Hopi Tribal Ordinance #61, Sub Section 8.00 Animal Bites" address the threat created by animals who are not restrained, and Sub Section 14.00 Disposition of Vicious Animals" allows for the euthanizing of unwanted dogs that roam the Hopi communities, in order to ensure safety of all residents. - Press release, The Hopi Tribe, June 13, 2022

Notably, the ordinance allows for "free roaming dogs and cats" on tribal lands. Subsection 12.00 states, "Registered dogs or cats may lawfully roam free on the Hopi Reservation, provided that their vaccinations and registration are current, there is no pending complaint about the animal on file with the Animal Control Officer, and the animal has not been found to be vicious or in heat." Pet owners are encouraged to have their dogs and cats vaccinated and spay and neutered.

In April 2022, an article in the Hopi Tutuveni asks, "Reservation Dogs -- Is this another Epidemic-like Situation on Hopi?" The article points out the "free roaming dogs and cats" part of the code and urges the passage of a new ordinance. "Some of the uncontrolled reservation dogs are forming semi-wild packs which are starting to attack family pets and residents," states the article. "It will only be a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or killed by the wild pack dogs."

Kykotsmovi, Ariz. – March 31, 2022 "Reservation Dogs" is not just a popular TV series but it is an actual term used by some Natives living on the reservation. This term also describes a dog which wanders around the reservation with no care, has no home, no food, no water, and no master or anyone to care for them. And these dogs seem to survive the longest here on the Hopi reservation. It also seems that every Hopi village could be home to an estimated 50-60 stray dogs which multiplied by the count of 12 villages, could get us up to around 600-720 stray dogs throughout the Hopi reservation. And each month, even more puppies are being born to those same stray dogs. This reservation-wide problem seems to have become an epidemic that Hopi people have dealt with for quite some time even before the current world wide pandemic. - Hopi Tutuveni, April 6, 2022

The publication also contains this article: "Small Animal Control Returns After Two Year Hiatus." Mirroring what occurred on the Navajo Nation during the pandemic years, the Hopi "Small Animal Control Program is back up and running after almost 2 years of dormancy due to the pandemic." Like the Navajo Nation, there was a "dramatic increase" in the reservation's free-ranging dog population due to suppressed animal control and spay/neuter services during the pandemic.

"During the last two years there has been a dramatic increase in the population of owned and unowned dogs that roam the villages and communities posing a potential health and safety risk for spread of vector-borne disease and zoonotic disease and injury through dog bites," said Madeline Sahneyah, Public Health Compliance Program Officer and Manager of the Hopi Small Animal Control Program. "This event is one of many more needed to encourage residents to become responsible pet owners and abide by the requirements of the Small Animal Control Ordinance #61" … "Tribal members can rest assured that we are working on solutions for the dog problem. We are addressing the overpopulation of unowned and unwanted dogs that roam the villages and communities" ... "Residents who live here should not have to be fearful while going for a walk or just to go outside in general because of vicious dogs." - Hopi Tutuveni, April 6, 2022

The death of this individual on the Hopi Reservation marks at least the sixth Native American killed by dogs on a U.S. Indian reservation after the Covid-19 pandemic began, between May 16, 2021 to June 15, 2022. Four of these deaths have occurred in 2022 alone, after two years of uninhibited consecutive dog mating seasons during the pandemic. The only question that remains is how many more Native Americans will be killed by dog packs on reservations by December 31, 2022?

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Fatal Dog Attacks on American Indian Reservations.

Learn about breed-specific laws on Indian reservations in our Breed Safety Laws section.

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Hockley County Man Found Dead in his Driveway was Killed by Pit Bull-Type Dogs

Andrew Woods, 57, was killed by multiple "American bullies" in Anton, Texas.

Man Killed by Dogs
Anton, TX - On the morning of June 10, 2022, Hockley County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 800 block of Tarver Street in reference to a deceased man in the driveway of a home and began investigating his death. At that time, a photojournalist at the scene reported that multiple dogs were seen taken away from by animal control officers. On June 14, the Hockley County Sheriff's Office issued a press release stating the suspicious death investigation was ongoing.

Investigation Continues in Anton Death

On the morning of Friday, June 10, 2022, at approximately 7:12 AM, Hockley County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address in the 800 block of Tarver Street, Anton, Hockley County, Texas, in reference to a possible deceased male in the driveway of the residence. Emergency Medical assistance was also requested at the residence. Deputies were advised there were three dogs around the male at the time he was discovered, and he had possibly suffered bites from the dogs.

Upon arrival, responding deputies located a male subject, later identified as Andrew Woods, 57, of Anton, unresponsive in the driveway in front of the home. The Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 was contacted, who responded and pronounced the male deceased at the scene. An autopsy was requested and was performed on Monday, June 13, 2022. As of Monday evening, initial findings related to cause and manner of death have not been released by the judge and more information is expected when complete autopsy results are submitted.

Related to the case, the three dogs located at the scene were quarantined following the incident and await a hearing to determine whether there will be a declaration of dangerous dogs.

We express our most sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Woods for the loss of their loved one. The investigation into the incident is ongoing and more information will be released when available by the Sheriff’s Office. - Sheriff R. Scifres, Hockley County Sheriff's Office, June 14, 2022

On June 15, media outlets reported that results from the autopsy performed two days earlier ruled the cause of death as multiple blunt and penetrating injuries due to a dog attack. The manner of death was ruled an accident. On the same day, a hearing was held in Justice of the Peace Court in Precinct 4, in Anton. The three dogs involved, identified by law enforcement as "American bullies" -- a pit bull "designer" breed -- were ordered seized due to causing the death of a person.

Everythinglubbock.com reported the entire update from the Hockley County Sheriff's Office. The updated information addresses the dog breed, the dog seizure hearing, and potential criminal liability in the case. The latter indicates that the victim, 57-year old Andrew Woods, was not the owner of the dogs. It is unknown who owns the dogs and if the dogs escaped an enclosure prior to attacking and killing Woods, which would likely fall under the Texas felony dog attack statute.

On the morning of Friday, June 10, 2022, at approximately 7:12 AM, Hockley County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an address in the 800 block of Tarver Street, Anton, Hockley County, Texas, in reference to a possible deceased male in the driveway of the residence. Upon arrival, responding deputies located a male subject, later identified as Andrew Woods, 57, of Anton, unresponsive in the driveway in front of the home.

The Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 was contacted, who responded and pronounced Woods deceased at the scene. An autopsy was ordered and was performed on Monday, June 13, 2022. According to the information released from Judge Wood, Justice of the Peace Precinct 4, and South Plains Forensic Pathology, the manner of death was ruled Accidental and cause of death was listed as resulting from multiple blunt and penetrating injuries due to a dog attack.

Related to the case, the three dogs located at the scene were quarantined following the incident and on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, a hearing was held in Justice of the Peace Court in Precinct 4, in Anton. The three dogs, identified as “American Bullie” breeds, were ordered to be seized due to causing a death of a person.

Related to any potential criminal culpability in the case, the matter remains under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office with cooperation from the District Attorney’s Office, and no determination has been made as of yet related to criminal charges. More information will be released when it is available and when further determinations are made related to the incident.

Deaths Inflicted by American Bullies

Fatal dog maulings inflicted in by American bullies, "developed as a natural extension of the American pit bull terrier," according to the United Kennel Club, have been increasing in the US since 2014, and increasing in Canada and the UK as well. The most recent fatal American bully attack in the US -- a dog that was predominantly mastiff, not pit bull -- occurred in February, when a hulking pit bull-type rescue dog, named "Gladys" killed a volunteer at a Florida rescue facility.

Hockley County man killed by pit bull-type dog

Andrew Woods, 57, was found dead after being mauled by three "American bullies" in Anton.

Posted on June 7, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman, 70, Mauled to Death by Pet Rottweilers in Sevier County, Tennessee

Fifth Fatal Dog Attack in Counties Near Knoxville in Past Year

Pet rottweilers killed 70-year old Debbie Boyde in Sevier County on June 3, 2022.

Woman Found Dead
Seymour, TN - On Monday, the Sevier County Sheriff's Office reported that a 70-year old woman, identified as Debbie Boyd, was discovered dead inside her home after being mauled by one or both family rottweilers. The attack occurred June 3, at a residence on Olympic Court View in Seymour, an unincorporated community in Blout and Sevier counties located about ten miles southeast of Knoxville. A small child was also in the home at that time, who was not injured.

Sheriff Ron Seals ~ A Sevier County woman has died as a result of an attack by a family dog. Officers were dispatched to a residence on Olympic View Court in Seymour on Friday June 3rd 2022 and found a 70 year old female, identified as Debbie Boyd, deceased, suffering from numerous dog bites. Officers observed 2 large Rottweiler dogs in the fenced in yard that had been secured by family members before the arrival of first responders. It was determined that the dogs were in the home with the victim at the time of the attack along with a small child, who was uninjured. The dogs were captured by Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division and taken to an animal housing facility till the investigation is completed. The victim was taken to Knox County Regional Forensic Center in Knoxville for an autopsy. The investigation is ongoing. - Sevier County Sheriff's Office

Prior to the arrival of first responders, family members had secured both dogs in a fenced-in yard. It was determined "the dogs were in the home with the victim at the time of the attack." The two rottweilers were captured and taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division. The dogs will be held at an "animal housing facility" until the investigation concludes. The victim's body was transported to Knox County Regional Forensic Center in Knoxville for an autopsy.

Earlier this year, in Tellico Village -- another suburb of Knoxville, located in Loudon County -- a woman was killed by her own personal protection trained Dutch shepherd. "Deputies were unable to approach the victim due to the potential attack from the dog and a LCSO Deputy was forced to shoot and kill the animal," the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office said at that time. Authorities also confirmed that the victim's husband was "a long-time and very accomplished K9 trainer."

Last year, two people were killed by dogs 3.5 months apart in Cocke County, about 50 miles east of Knoxville. Those dogs, cane corso mastiffs, were suspected of belonging to Charles Everett Owensby, who goes by "Charlie Dogman" on Facebook, who became a "person of interest" in both deaths. Owensby, who is known locally as a dog trainer, was later arrested on unrelated charges. To date, no charges have been brought in connection to these two fatal dog attacks.

Finally, in addition to multiple fatal dog maulings near Knoxville over the past year, a fatal dog attack recently occurred in Sevier County too, which only has a population of 98,000. In October, a 7-month old boy was killed by a St. Bernard while visiting his grandmother's home in Sevier County. The dog had a history of aggression and was normally kept outside when the boy visited. Two fatal dog attacks occurring months apart in a county population of this size is uncommon.