A migrant woman was found dead Tuesday morning after a suspected dog attack.
Woman Found Dead
Laredo, TX - On Tuesday morning, a woman was found dead with bite marks on the sidewalk of the 300 block of River Front Street. The Webb County Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy. Officials believe the woman was in her 20s, from Guatemala and had crossed the Rio Grande when she was attacked by one or more dogs. She sustained multiple bite marks, which resulted in her death, the medical examiner said. It is unknown what types of dogs attacked her.
“Foul play was not found at this preliminary phase of the investigation nor has an official cause of death been finalized. The investigation has revealed that there was evidence of an animal attack on the victim,” police said in a statement. Police also said the that the victim had crossed the border illegally. Authorities have not identified the victim, pending notification of next of kin. Residents say that issues and attacks by loose and stray dogs is common in the neighborhood.
Age of the Victim
Persons in their 20s is a rare age group for victims of fatal dog attacks. Of the 569 people killed by dogs from 2005 to 2020, only 11 females fell into the 19-29 age group, less than 2% of all deaths. 91% of these attacks (10 of 11) involved pit bulls. A Dogo argentino inflicted the other death. Among males 19-29 years old, there were 10 deaths, also less than 2% of all deaths. 90% of these fatal attacks (9 of 10) were carried out by pit bulls. A rottweiler inflicted the other death.
Earlier this week, Kimberly Dawn Morris, of McLean, was found dead in Gray County, Texas. Authorities initially thought it was a homicide -- they thought the woman had been stabbed. The autopsy results, however, determined it was an "animal attack." Currently, it is unknown what animal species were involved. There were no witnesses to the attack, but it did occur in a rural neighborhood with dirt roads. The most likely culprit is one or more loose dogs, not wildlife.
The area on River Front Street where a woman was found dead after a suspected dog attack.
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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.
A Laredo woman’s son was attacked by perhaps the same dogs several times but Animal Control didn’t act on it when reported.
With the Texas One-Bite rule, it seems as though it is overtime for AC’s responsibility to hunt down and euthanize the dogs.
Cases like these are especially sad as I don’t see how anything resembling justice will be found. I’m sorry this terrible thing happened to this young woman.
Migrants work the fields, mow lawns and clean houses. But so many see them as disposable human beings. A short life for a young woman just trying to survive. I doubt if much effort will be put into finding the killers.
There can be no justice when the perpetrators cannot be identified. I wonder if one could get the perpetrators’ ID from DNA in bite wounds. Could the species be identified if foreign DNA was found? It’s so sad when deaths by animals occur.
At this point I am wondering when the FBI is going to open a Behavioural Analysis Unit on How To Identify Serial Killing Pitbulls.
They seem to be more common than human serial killers at this point.
This young woman won’t see justice. She’s just pitbull fodder for political debates, sadly.
So very sad and these dogs will most likely never be identified and may do it again. I just don’t understand people who let their dogs run loose.
So sad, sounds like she is still in awful condition and she was someone who was in great shape and out doing what she loved. Now if she survives her whole life is changed. What is wrong with these pit owners? I have mostly owned small dogs but I couldn’t imagine letting my dog run loose to even bark at someone.. I worry about liablility, just the fact I don’t want them to harm anyone. I also care about my dogs and know that loose dogs can be hit by cars, if a rural area, shot if get into trouble. Mine spend 99 percent of the time indoors or with me outside since they are pets and if I didn’t want them with me and just to roam half feral I wouldn’t get them.
I’m also disturbed by the death of Kimberly Dawn Morris and the lack of explanation for her death and apparent lack of interest by her community in finding out what happened to her or reporting on it.
And I’m still upset that there has been no more news out of Billings, Montana to explain the death of 84-year-old Melitta Hain! That one is personal for me because I know someone who lives less than a mile away. I texted that person about it and they immediately responded that the victim was “probably doing something stupid”. Grrr. I should have known – that person is crazy about dogs.
I wish that human lives would matter more to everyone than dogs’ lives. But some people elevate all dogs to the status of perfect angels and think they can do no wrong. So what if dogs brutally attack and kill people now and then? Those people must have done something wrong to deserve their painful and horrific deaths, right?
Human beings seem to be in a popularity contest with dogs, and are losing.
Migrants, seniors, children of colour (name that group) are not as photogenic as a pitbull in pajamas French kissing a blonde model on TikTok.
That’s what society has come to, for the young, sadly. Flagrant narcissism on display with zero understanding of why celebrity culture is so detrimental to human society.
The “common good” has gone the way of the Dodo bird.
Makes me sad.
Boni, that about sums it up.
Rebecca, thanks for this info. This is one of the only websites where one can even hope to reach listening ears without getting clobbered by pitbull advocates.
I’m sure they try but fortunately they get shut out, this site is not for pit nutters or indeed anyone who simps for vicious dogs in the community..
Judith, your remark is timely. From Sky News in your country comes a 5-minute news commentary titled “Losing a child to a dog attack should be a ‘national disgrace.’ ” I wish we had an American news person with the courage of this gentleman. To him, I say, “Good on ya, sir!”
Judith, your remark is timely. From Sky News in your country comes a 5-minute news commentary titled “Losing a child to a dog attack should be a ‘national disgrace.’ ” I wish we had an American news person with the courage of this gentleman. To him, I say, “Good on ya, sir!”
Here’s the link to “a national disgrace” speech by an Australian newsman.
https://youtu.be/c4HeP620In8
Thanks Nunzia, I actually sub to that YT channel! A poor little 2 year boy mauled to death by a Rottweiler and a cattle dog (that would be a blue or red heeler, a powerful breed) recently and it has received more media coverage than usual, as with many things, people are starting to take notice and asking questions.. such as, why are vicious dogs given chances after serious bites and why are the owners not in more trouble when they do..