Yearly Archives: 2019

2019 Dog Bite Fatality: Elderly Woman Dies After Dog Attack in Suffield; Attack Occurred at Home of Animal Activist

104
Pit Bull Belongs to HSUS Senior State Director Annie Hornish Janet D'Aleo, 95-years old, died November 6 after a severe dog attack in Suffield. $2 Million Settlement UPDATE 01/13/21: The family of Janet D'Aleo has reached a settlement for $2 million dollars in their lawsuit against the owners of the dog. In November 2019, a rescued pit bull belonging to former state representative Annie Hornish, who continues to be the Connecticut senior state director of the Humane Societ… [Read full blog post]

Pit Bull Attacks Rise in Pawtucket After State Preemption Law Muted City's Successful Pit Bull Ban

8
Veteran animal control officer John Holmes, a key proponent of the ban, retired in 2015. Pit Bull Attacks Rise Pawtucket, RI - Five years after Pawtucket was forced to lift its successful pit bull ban, attacks by pit bulls have risen sharply. Today, there are over 10 times more pit bull attacks per year in Pawtucket than there were during the ban years. The city was forced to lift its ban due to the state legislature, which passed a state preemption law in 2013 barring local govern… [Read full blog post]

2019 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman, 49, Dies After Being Mauled by Her Two Rescue Great Danes in Warren County, Ohio

33
Mary Matthews, 49-years old, was killed by her two rescue great danes on Friday. Family Speaks Out UPDATE 11/07/19: After publishing our post, we received confirmation from two separate sources that the female black great dane named "Caitlyn" was not involved in the attack that killed Mary Matthews on November 1. In mid January, the owner of Caitlyn rehomed the dog to Matthews. Six days later, the owner picked Caitlyn back up. After learning of Matthews' death, the owner wro… [Read full blog post]

2019 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman Killed by Family Pit Bulls in Bay City, Michigan

11
Brandy Boschen-O'Dell, 41, was killed by one or more pit bulls in Bay City, Michigan. Boyfriend's Dogs UPDATE 11/12/19: On November 1, the Bay City Department of Public Safety reported they were dispatched to a residence in the 3200 block of Westshore Drive. On their arrival, they found a 41-year old woman deceased. An autopsy determined her death was caused "from several bites made by one or more dogs that were pets." Two pit bull-type dogs were removed from the home. One medi… [Read full blog post]