Review: Five dog bite fatalities between 2017-2022 unreported by media.
DogsBite.org - We summarize five cases of adults killed by dogs between 2017 and 2022, where no media reports or police press releases were published. Our discovery of each death came from different sources, including a FOIA to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office, where three of these deaths were located. All five deaths involved bull breeds: pit bull (3 deaths), American bulldog (1), and presa canario (1). All five victims were 40-years and older, and most were men (3/5).
Since 2011, we have obtained verification for 31 non-media reported dog bite fatalities. 55% of these deaths occurred after the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, when media reports and police press releases of fatal dog attacks decreased, but the attacks were rising. Of the 31 deaths, 77% involved a family dog killing a household member; 71% involved one or more pit bulls; and 97% (30/31) involved pit bulls, "baiting" bull breeds, and mastiff-type guarding breeds used to create fighting breeds.1
Of the 31 recorded deaths, pit bulls were involved in 22 deaths, American bulldog (5); bull terrier (1)2; French mastiff (1), and presa canario (1).3
In our last published combined year dog bite fatality report (2005-2019), the combination of pit bulls, rottweilers and this small group of mastiff-type guarding breeds comprised 84% of all deaths. Since 2011, we have not discovered a single non-media reported rottweiler death, even though they are the second top killing dog breed. Instead, we see that non-media reported cases have an even higher percentage of pit bulls, "baiting" bull breeds and fighting breeds, even when rottweilers are absent.
When we compare the 31 non-media reported deaths to the 524 deaths in the 15-year baseline period (2005 to 2019),4 other differences stand out too. Attacks inflicted by family dogs are 42% higher in non-media reported deaths; adult victims ≥40 years old are 65% higher; and a single or pair of "family" pit bulls killing a household member ≥40 years old is 102% higher. Also, of the 31 non-media reported deaths, 23% occurred during June, which is 211% higher than the baseline period for this month.
Breeds of dogs in non-media reported dog bite fatalities since we began capturing in 2011.
Nancy Mira
67-years old
Miami, Florida
March 17, 2017
Summary: Nancy Mira, 67-years old, died one month after being bitten on the neck by a family dog. According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office, the attack occurred on February 21 at approximately 11:48 am in the 19200 block of SW 128 Court. Mira was at her home "when she became belligerent and attempted to strike her son. The son's American bulldog bit the deceased on her neck," states the report. She was transported to Jackson South Community Hospital where she underwent multiple procedures. "Her condition deteriorated, and she was placed in Vitas Hospice at University of Miami Hospital" where she died on March 17, states the report. The cause of death was ruled "complications of dog bite on neck." The Miami-Dade Police Department was the investigating agency. In December 2010, her son's partner shared a "Got a Pet" announcement on Facebook. "Got our crazy American bulldog Duley," she wrote. There were no media reports about this fatal attack.
Moise Maddox
87-years old
Miami Gardens, Florida
January 20, 2019
Summary: Moise Maddox, 87-years old, died while hospitalized after being mauled by a dog. On December 31, 2018, Miami Gardens police officers were dispatched to a home in the 2100 block of NW 153rd Street at about 10:19 am. "The victim was in the rear yard when the family pet, a presa canario, attacked the victim," states a report from the Miami Gardens Police Department. Maddox sustained severe injuries to both lower legs. He was airlifted to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami for advanced medical treatment. Miami-Dade Animal Control took possession of the dog; it was later euthanized. "Maddox had both of his legs amputated below his knees" due to the severe damage, states the report. His left arm was going to be amputated, due to a developing infection, when he succumbed to cardiac arrest on January 20, 2019. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death was "complications of canine mauling." There were no media reports about this attack.
"Information obtained on scene from officers revealed the victim was in the rear yard when the family pet, a Presa Canario attacked the victim. It could not be determined why the dog attacked the victim ... G. Maddox was the owner of the dog and indicated that he was in the front yard when he heard the victim screaming and ran to the rear yard and observed his dog attacking his brother and was able to separate the dog from his brother ... The report further indicated that the dog was surrendered to Animal Services and was euthanized." - Miami Gardens Police Department
Josefa Suarez
73-years old
Homestead, Florida
September 28, 2021
Summary: Josefa Suarez, 73-years old, was killed by a relative's adopted dog. According to Miami-Dade Animal Services (MDAS) records, at about 12:00 pm, "the victim was in the backyard cleaning and the dog just went up to her, jumped on her, and began attacking, biting her on her left arm." Her nephew came out to help get the dog off her, "but the dog wiggled off and grabbed a hold of her right arm." By the time he could remove the dog, she was unresponsive. Upon arrival, fire and rescue observed "multiple opened wounds" on her body. She was transported to Jackson South Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The dog's owner, L. Ramirez, was out of town at the time. Ramirez adopted the male neutered pit bull-mix "Clyde" on January 14, 2019 from MDAS. The dog had been taken in as a stray five days earlier, MDAS records show. According to the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's report, Suarez had recently moved into the family home. The medical examiner determined her cause of death was "dog bites." There were no media reports about this attack.
Additional Details
MDAS estimated Clyde was 3-years old at the time of adoption. Making the dog nearly 6-years old when it violently attacked the woman. It is noted in the adoption records that "Josefa A Suarez, may also pick up pet," on the day of the adoption, January 14, 2019. So, despite Suarez only recently moving into the family home, she was familiar with the dog. She also took the dog to the MDAS Wellness Clinic for a license and vaccination service on March 26, 2021, 6-months before the attack.
Clyde killed a person within a 3-year period of being adopted from a tax-funded shelter, therefore this attack qualifies for our list. Miami-Dade Animal Services now joins 16 tax-funded shelters in the United States since 2014 that have adopted out or transferred a dog to a rescue that subsequently killed a person. This is the second occurrence for MDAS in a 13-month period. On August 28, 2020 Carolyn Varanese was killed by a dog that had recently been pulled from MDAS by Mastiff Recue of Florida Inc.
Shelter Dog-Inflicted Deaths (Tax-Funded)
- 2023 - Spokane Co. Regional Animal Protection Service (WA) - Colton Kline, 4-years old
- 2021 - Animal Services Center, Mesilla Valley (NM) - Avery Jackson-Dunphy, 6-years old
- 2021 - Miami-Dade Animal Services (FL) - Josefa Suarez, 73-years old
- 2021 - Wake County Animal Center (NC) - Jayden Henderson, 7-years old
- 2020 - Miami-Dade Animal Services (FL) - Carolyn Varanese, 84-years old
- 2019 - Humane Society of St. Lucie County (FL) - Christine Liquori, 52-years old
- 2018 - Pinellas County Animal Services (FL) - Infant Khloe Williams
- 2018 - The Animal Foundation (NV) - Susan Sweeney, 58-years old
- 2018 - Logan County Pound (WV) - Robin Conway, 64-years old
- 2018 - Henderson Animal Shelter (NV) - Bradley Cline, 62-years old
- 2017 - El Paso Animal Services (TX) - Jacob Brooks, 4-years old
- 2017 - New York City Animal Care Centers (NY) - Margaret Colvin, 91-years old
- 2017 - Kent County Animal Shelter (MI) - Infant Susannah Murray
- 2016 - San Diego Humane Society (CA) - Infant Sebastian Caban
- 2015 - Jackson-Madison County Pound (TN) - Anthony Riggs, 57-years old
- 2015 - Asheville Humane Society (NC) - Joshua Strother, 6-years old
- 2015 - Rochester Animal Services (NY) - Anthony Wind, 26-years old
- 2014 - Branford Animal Shelter (CT) - Rita Pepe, 93-years old
Shelter Dog-Inflicted Deaths (Private-Funded)
- 2022 - Humane Society of Highlands County (FL) - Ronald Adams, 79-years old
Underreported Shelter Dog-Inflicted Deaths
In the 15-year baseline period (2005-2019), rescue and rehomed dogs account for 8.6% of dog bite fatalities. In the 31 non-media reported deaths, they account for 16.1%, which is over 85% higher. This begs the question of how many more non-media reported fatal attacks involving shelter dogs have occurred? It's hardly a matter a county, such as Miami-Dade, would want to publicize -- the second dog they adopted out in a 13-month period that killed a person, both during the Covid pandemic.
Clyde was not a "pandemic puppy" that went on a rampage 2.5 years after being adopted in 2019. Clyde was a 3-year old pit bull-mix with no known history prior to adoption. In our last series of non-media reported fatal dog attacks, we wrote about Ronald Adams, 79, who was killed by two adult pit bulls shortly after he adopted them from the Humane Society of Highlands County in August 2022. Media attributing the sharp rise of US "fatal" dog attacks to "pandemic puppies" alone is unproven.
We believe shelter dog-inflicted deaths are underreported and that "adoption source" information is omitted in certain media-reported cases.5
"Pandemic puppy" is a poor term that implies "breeder purchased," obfuscating the 6.2 million shelter dogs that were adopted during the pandemic (2020-2022), of which upwards of 70% were adult dogs, according to data at Shelter Animals Count. Many of these adult dogs have unknown histories. Further, there are clear motivations to withhold "adoption source" information after a fatal attack. As Adams' partner stated, "Highlands kept the death quiet cuz they did NOT want people to stop adopting dogs."
Adult John Doe
41 years old
Austin, Texas
May 14, 2022
Summary: John Doe, 41-years old, who was experiencing homelessness, was killed by multiple unrestrained dogs. First responders were dispatched to the 4600 block of East Ben White Boulevard around 1:50 am. Few details of his death were released by police. Through a FOIA, our nonprofit obtained records of the Severe Bite Investigation (SBI) conducted by Austin Animal Services. The dogs' owner lived in an "encampment in the woods with his six pit bulls," states the report. The owner had left the camp with his dogs "tied up." When he returned, he found his dogs had "broke loose from their makeshift leash." He discovered the man's body near a creek bed. The owner believed his dogs had killed the man; he found blood on two of his dogs. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The location of the bite injuries is listed as "head." Authorities seized all six pit bulls. A court ordered all six dogs "destroyed due to the severity of injuries" that "ultimately led to his death." The victim had been familiar with dogs. There were no follow-up media reports about this attack.
Additional Details
This case did have a "media alert" (a brief mention) on May 14, 2022. It said "a dog attacked and killed" a homeless man. No dog breed information was released. In February 2024, while reviewing data showing a 198% rise of severe dog bites in Austin from 2018 to 2023, we also obtained animal control records for this man's death. To know that six bulls were involved in a fatal mauling at a homeless encampment in 2022 and that local media did not investigate or prioritize this case is alarming.6
In contrast, media and law enforcement in Bend, Oregon elevated the death of Joseph Keeton, who had been living at an encampment known as "Dirt World," into the public eye after he was killed by three pit bull-mixes with a bite history belonging to one of his campmates. There was discussion at a county commissioner meeting too. Vicious dogs and dog bite injuries are a reality at homeless encampments. The dogs' owner later pleaded guilty to multiple charges in connection to his death.
Dwayne Kessler
58-years old
Maricopa County, Arizona
May 5, 2022
Summary: Dwayne Kessler, 58-years old, was killed by his son's pit bull, according to a pair of fundraisers created by his partner and his best friend after his death. An autopsy report from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office provided a narrative. "According to the investigative report, the decedent was reportedly at a storage facility with his significant other, a family member, and their pet dog (reportedly a pit bull)," states the report. "The decedent and his significant other reportedly became engaged in a verbal argument," triggering the dog to attack. "The decedent reportedly fell to the ground while the dog continued to maul him. The decedent's family member reportedly stabbed the dog multiple times in an attempt to stop the attack." The cause of death was "mixed modality blunt force and penetrating trauma." The injury occurred by a "canine attack followed by human inflicted sharp force injuries sustained during attempted canine neutralization," states the report. The manner of death was ruled an accident. There were no media reports about this attack.
"Multiple knives were reportedly recovered at the scene by law enforcement officials ... He was transported to the hospital where death was pronounced in the emergency department. Traumatic injuries including abrasions, lacerations, puncture wounds, and sharp force injuries were noted by medical personnel. Verbal conversation with law enforcement personnel at the time of postmortem examination revealed that the decedent's family member may have injured the decedent inadvertently with a knife while the family member was attempting to subdue the dog. Law enforcement officials stated that foul play was not suspected." - Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office
Additional Details
According to the autopsy, the dog latched onto his right wrist, fracturing bones and damaging the ulnar artery. "It is likely that the canine bit the decedent's right wrist causing crush type fracture of the distal ulna and transection of the right ulnar artery." The right radial artery injury was human-inflicted during the "canine neutralization attempt." The result of these injuries was "severe hemorrhage and blood loss," states the report. Methamphetamine and heart disease also contributed to his death.
Kessler and his partner received an eviction judgment against them a month-and-a-half before the fatal attack, according to court records. This may be why they were at the storage facility. Prior to receiving the autopsy report on March 25, 2024, confirming his cause of death, we sent FOIAs to agencies in Glendale and Phoenix, based on the eviction location and other indicators. Both came back empty. This fatal dog attack occurred off the owner's property at a storage facility in nearby Peoria.
Summary
In this report, we summarized five cases of adults killed by dogs between 2017 and 2022, where media reports or police press releases were absent or insufficient. All five victims were 40-years and older, and most were men (3/5). Three of these deaths occurred in Miami-Dade County, of which two died while hospitalized 20-24 days after the attack. All five deaths involved bull breeds: pit bull terrier (3 deaths), American bulldog (1), and presa canario (1). Family dogs inflicted 80% of these deaths.
The majority of dog bite fatalities that are unreported by media involve family dogs (77%); adult victims ≥40 years old (74%); and pit bulls (71%).
We also reviewed 31 non-media reported deaths collected since 2011, which have a higher percentage of pit bulls, "baiting" bull breeds, and fighting breeds than the 15-year baseline period (97% v. 74%) and are absent of rottweiler deaths. Adult victims ≥40 years old comprised 74% of deaths (23/31). Among these adults, a single or pair of pit bulls inflicted 70% (16/23) of deaths and a single or pair of "family" pit bulls inflicted 57% (13/23) of deaths. Most non-media reported deaths occurred in June.
Months with the most non-media reported dog bite fatalities since we began capturing in 2011.
Some of the human victims and violent dogs discussed in our special report. Review: Five Dog Bite Fatalities Between 2017-2022 in the United States Unreported by Media.
2The 2020 death of Roxie Parker, 60-years old, involved a large bull terrier, not a miniature bull terrier.
3Two other breeds in non-reported media cases -- German shepherd (1 death) and mixed-breed (1 death) -- were involved in multi-breed attacks involving pit bulls. The breeds did not act alone in the fatal attack.
4Since publication of the 15-year baseline (2005-2019) in July 2020, three new deaths have been added (521 v. 524).
5On October 31, 2023, a family pit bull-mix killed 4-year old Colton Kline in Spokane, Washington. Through a FOIA, we learned the dog "Spud" had been adopted to the family on September 2, 2023 (two months earlier) by the county agency, Spokane Regional Animal Protection Service. We sent the information (proof of adoption) to local media, but they never reported it. Omitting the "adoption source" information, in this case, came from the media itself.
6Local Austin media did make it a priority to write about a recent homeless camp demolition (Homeless people scramble after Austin crews demolish camp - Austin American Statesman, March 6, 2024). The first 17 words were: "Jack Smith saved what he could. His pit bull mix, Lady. Her nine puppies, just eight days old." Homeless man brutally killed by six pit bulls of campmate -- not a story. Homeless man with "nine pit bull puppies" flees camp demolition -- feature story!
Related articles:
01/25/24: Review: Three Dog Bite Fatalities Between 2022-2023 in the US Unreported by Media
04/18/23: Macro-Level Forces Report: Covid Impacts of 2021 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Capture Rate...
09/23/22: Macro-Level Forces Report: Covid Impacts of 2020 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Capture Rate...
That’s so typical of the main-stream media. They are giant corporations owned by one person/family, they are only there to make money, they don’t report on the news, they create it.
It certainly is more complicated than that, and we have been reporting about this issue since 2022 (see: Covid reports 2020 and 2021). Print media organizations are dying and have been for some time. Hundreds of newspapers have shut down and/or were cropped to a minuscule newsroom. The media landscape between 2015 and 2024 has greatly altered. They are now calling it an “extinction-level event“. These five deaths occurred in robust media markets, true enough, but we “imagine” that a number of non-media reported deaths also are occurring in barren media landscape regions.
Six companies own *every* major news outlet in the USA. That’s print, tv news, cable news, online etc. Behind them are all the major advertisers, Big Pharma, Big Tobacco, International Arms Corporations, Pet Food Corporations etc.
It’s no wonder young folks don’t trust legacy media and look for independent investigative reporters via podcasts, blogs, newsletters and streaming services.
When we can see what’s going on in the world *live* from people’s cell phones, Operation Mockingbird is failing to influence a tech savvy generation.
So, I’m not at all surprised that your investigations turn up the egregious coverups and deliberate ignoring of death by pitbulls.
(Good job, Colleen)
Thank you for all your usual thoroughness in this reporting, Colleen — and for simply paying attention to the issue of nonreporting.
You will of course remember the case of 2-year-old Brice Sanders in June 2020. Fatally mauled by a pit bull in Stockton, California, where the local press did report the attack, the boy’s death went unreported in San Francisco, 63 miles away and the actual home of the boy — and I had personally contacted SF press to draw their attention to the incident. I have no explanation for such a perverse editorial decision.
https://blog.dogsbite.org/2020/06/unreported-fatal-dog-mauling-brice-sanders-outside-bay-area.html
“And now, a word from our sponsor General Mills Blue Buffalo Pet food then we’ll be back for the weather report”
That’s why, Mike 😉
Moral of the story is: Don’t adopt a pit bull; the life you save may be your own.
Rebecca, I think you’ve just come up with my fav motto for Dogsbite 😀
I’ve stumped a few pit bull fans by asking them if a pit bull’s aggression can be avoided by raising them properly, why would you ever adopt a dog whose upbringing is unknown?
That right there should be reason enough that all shelter pits get the pink juice.
We know raising one from a puppy is no guarantee it wont attack but if we could get them out of the shelters I think it would help a lot.
Stop using tax money to spread the #1 canine killer.
If people want pits they can save up and get one from their meth dealer or where ever it is pits come from but get the public funding away from it.
If that could be done and dog owners could start to be held responsible for the actions of their dogs I think things would improve.
Sadly responsibility is like Kryptonite to most modern dog owners.
“That’s unfair! Why should I be held accountable for what my dog did?”
I do have to give credit to the partner of Mr. Kessler.
His was the first GFM I have ever seen where they came right out and said “He was killed by our pit bull”.
No “passed away” no “died in an accident” not even generic “dog attack”. They named the breed and admitted it was theirs.
My Spidey Sense tingles a little when it comes out he was mauled by the dog and stabbed but I can see how you could miss if you were not careful.
Just a horrible way to go.
We received confirmation of the Arizona case today. That portion has been heavily revised.
Apart from the media’s obvious MO of selective reporting, I would not be surprised at all if the number of unreported deaths goes way beyond what is found on this website.
Unreported I say due to nobody getting wind of the dead since they’ve disappeared from the face of the Earth without a trace. Buried. Dumped. Digested. Dissolved. Along with any other way to ERASE the DEATH and the DEED!
How often do we read of these utterly sociopath, deplorable owners who display not a smidgen of guilt, compassion, conscience., or whatever you want to call it…
Try to hide the DEED!
It should come as no surprise that they occasionally succeed in hiding the deed.
Believe all you want that they’ll be judged someday. But here on Earth in the present, I’d bet the farm that the full extent of the deed hidden in the fields would yield a bumper crop of corpses.
Two weeks after the last pit bull breeder was mauled to death a 20 year old man & his mom were attacked by a pack of pit bulls! Because having a single mauler isn’t dangerous enough for some reason!
https://ktla.com/news/california/mother-son-attacked-by-pack-of-pit-bulls-in-southern-california/?fbclid=IwAR2lKqH6cu5iE-8wyLr76MmZg5tIZT7VnuOk-MBQ–wLWxPigDRZaOcDkhE
5000 block of N. Orangecrest.
Like strolling thru “Grand Theft Auto- San Andreas”. Plenty of parted-out jalopies per driveway. I’d be willing to wager on which is the breeder home.
I came across an interesting statistic in a fluff story about dogs behaving badly and how “it is just the cutest thing ever”.
” The survey found that 56 percent of dog owners polled considered their canines to be naughty.
Twelve percent said their dog usually misbehaves while five percent said they always misbehave. By contrast, just eight percent of dog owners considered their canines to be well behaved.
Though most were aware of their dog misbehaving, there was little in the way of guilt among those polled with just nine percent saying they felt extremely responsible for their dog’s behavior while 20 percent felt very responsible.”
So 8% of dogs are considered well behaved by their owners yet 71% don’t feel responsible for the actions of their dog.
Is it any wonder that “dine ‘n dash” attacks are so common?
I wish I had a link to the actual survey.
Here is the story the quote comes from.
https://www.newsweek.com/man-discovers-car-trashed-security-camera-footage-reveals-1884921
“But my {enter your dog/breed here} is always so well behaved blah blah blah blah blah….”
So impressed. And I sincerely mean that.
Here is what I sincerely believe {this time for real}:
You will never see or hear of “the dog control question” brought up in a broadcast debate between political candidates running for office.
Why? Because they know how decisively the vote can swing one way or the other by their chosen words and how they are perceived on that issue.
The voter could care less about unimportant things like the economy, national security, abortion, race relations, etc…than it does about the one major issue so precious and sacred that its name dare not even receive mention.
The unwritten rule of the media and moderators-
“Don’t ask about or bring up….you know what. That subject is off the table.”
It’s a Forbes survey in 2022 (“54% Of Dog Owners Have Regrets About Getting A Dog”): https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/survey-pet-ownership-regret-dog/
That is Dr Duke, sadly, the crux of the matter.
When I was dog training, it was astonishing to me what people didn’t see as a “problem”. I would ask them to list “dog no-nos” and “dog sins” as in, something we can work on later and a dog sin is something so dangerous or anti-social that you just can’t live with it and must be fixed ASAP. Pooping, peeing, destruction, chronic barking, biting, snarling, growling, dog aggression etc.
Most people didn’t even *think* about it, until I asked. How can you raise a child if you do not know what is acceptable behaviour in an adult? How can you raise or train a dog without knowing what’s acceptable societal behavior by a dog?
90% of the dogs I see wandering around exhibit behavior I could never tolerate. Some is just dangerous to the dog…like walking onto an elevator *before* the owner (if the door shuts on the lead, the dog will strangle) from barking, snarling and lunging its way down the street trying to attack anything that moves.
The problem is, people don’t *think* about any of this. They just “get a dog” and choose it for “cuteness” or how adorable it will look on camera on social media.
Somehow, they think the dog will train itself. It’s the magical thinking of children combined with the infantalization of the dog–a potent blend of dangerous and stupid.
A few days ago, a 7 year old boy was severely mauled by a pit bull dog in Aurora, Mo.
The media did report it as a “dog bite” from a “mixed breed dog”.
A family member has posted pictures of this child and of the dog. The child may lose his left arm and left leg due to the extensive tissue loss and damage to the bone. It is so disturbing to see the horrific damage caused and having it labelled a dog bite.
The dog also has a bite history and the owner was allowed to keep it.
Why is there no attempt to report the truth? The family posted on a local FB site in their community and their post was removed.
Therein lies the problem with the wave of censorship in social media.
We can’t speak honestly now on many sites. Many videos showing the *truth* of given situations are systematically shut down for “violent” or “biased” or whatever, lamebrain reason–even when that content is an object warning for the public.
We’re no longer entitled to the *truth*–we’re entitled to be “emotionally safe”…whatever the he11 that is supposed to mean.