"Found No Evidence for Anything Besides Domestic Dog"
Brenda Hamilton, 77-years old, died after being attacked by an animal in Pantego.
Petition Launched
UPDATE 06/09/19: Family members and friends of Brenda Hamilton began a petition demanding that local authorities release details into her mauling death. On February 15, the Chavez family, awakened by their dogs barking by the road, found Hamilton lying in a ditch submerged up to her shoulders in water. EMS arrived to find Hamilton suffering from catastrophic injuries to both arms, both legs and scalp. She was transported to Vidant Pitt Hospital where she died three days later.
Beaufort County deputies and animal control responded to the attack site. They discovered a freshly killed nutria nearby. A large amount of blood was found on the road, leading investigators to where Hamilton was found in the ditch. The two dogs found near Hamilton were examined about an hour after the attack by deputies and animal control. On the afternoon of the fatal attack, both dogs tested positive for trace amounts of human blood on their paws and in their mouth.
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office | View news release"The two dogs found near Hamilton were examined about an hour after the attack by Deputies and Animal Control Officers. The dogs displayed no signs of aggression towards Deputies, they were not wet, and there was no visible sign of mud or blood on either dog. Later, on the afternoon of the attack, field tests for blood were performed and both dogs tested positive for trace amounts of human blood on their paws and in their mouth.
[--snip-]
On Sunday, February 17, 2019, 2 days after the attack the 2 dogs found near Hamilton were seized at the request of the Sheriff’s Office by Beaufort County Animal Control and quarantined for observation. Again, the dogs displayed no aggression when they were seized and at no time during their quarantine. The dogs were returned to their owners after 10 days of observation." - Beaufort County Sheriff's Office news release, May 2, 2019
Following the attack, investigators collected 14 DNA samples from canines in the area. Initial test results showed that domestic canine DNA, matching the dogs belonging to the Chavez family, was present on Hamilton's outer jacket and her shoe. The DNA lab also located domestic canine mitochondrial DNA on six other items of evidence: a swab from Hamilton’s ear, a swab from her scalp, the flashlight she had been holding, her hooded sweat shirt, her t-shirt and the dead nutria.
Though it was suspected that the domestic canine mitochondrial DNA came from the same two dogs -- mitochondrial DNA types differ among dog breeds -- a match to a specific dog could not be made. Of the total 33 items sent in for testing, no other findings were made. Those tests may have been affected due to the fact that Hamilton was submerged in water. No evidence gathered from the scene yielded DNA results implicating a coyote or bear. Thus, deputies closed the case.
"The evidence in this case was reviewed by Beaufort County’s Dangerous Dog Committee. An Investigator with the Sheriff’s Office, the dog’s owners and neighbors familiar with the dogs all testified before the committee and after a review of the evidence and testimony, the Committee did not find the dogs to be dangerous.
After the completion of all testing and a review of the scientific and circumstantial evidence in this case, we are unable to make a definitive determination as to what type of canine attacked Brenda Hamilton. While the DNA evidence brings the 2 domestic canines under suspicion, the observations of those 2 canines by Deputies, Animal Control Officers and Investigators tells a different story." - Beaufort County Sheriff's Office news release, May 2, 2019
The "observations" that these dogs "behaved" during quarantine does not lead to any type of scientific or even reasonable conclusion that these two dogs were not involved. On multiple occasions after a fatal pit bull attack, the dog has easily passed a temperament test and on many more occasions -- including after the violent pit bull mauling death of Christine Liquori -- the pit bull was calm at the gruesome scene and remained calm and friendly while kenneled afterward.1
On May 20, The Washington Times spoke to Maureen Hickman, the Western Carolina University scientist who tested the samples. Hickman explained that mitochondrial DNA only contains genetic material from the mother of an animal, thus it cannot be matched to a specific animal, but it can be used to determine the species of the animal. Hickman wished she could have provided more answers, but added that she "found no evidence for anything besides domestic dog."
In June, likely due to the growing pressure of the family's petition, the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners discussed getting a second opinion from a DNA expert. As a first step, Hickman and Pete Benjamin, the North Carolina field supervisor for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, agreed to answer questions at a public forum in July. "Everyone wants answers. The family and friends of Brenda Hamilton deserve answers," wrote the editorial board of The Washington Times.
The Petition & Dog Breed
The petition calls out the sheriff's office, "less-than-stellar investigation" and asks, "Why was the investigation so short lived?" Why was no "attack animal" named? "Why were local people not involved (and why were their accounts of investigators not taken into consideration)?" The petition also asks how safe is the community? "Can our kids go out to play"? And, "Is it safe to take a walk?" The petition wants assurance the investigation was conducted "properly" and "ethically."
Not long after Hamilton's horrific death, we were sent information from a local stating that both dogs "under suspicion" are pit bulls. A similar discussion continues today on a North Carolina Hunting and Fishing forum board. As noted by user "Double" on May 23, "No those pits where not cleared. They just never showed aggression per the article. Domestic dog DNA was on the lady; her blood was in their mouth. Sure sounds like a smoking gun if there has ever been one."
While there may never be enough evidence to prove which canines brutally killed Hamilton, there is enough evidence to prove that a wild animal was not involved. Hickman "found no evidence for anything besides domestic dog" in the 33 items sent in for testing. Certainly, the two pit bulls "under suspicion" cannot be ruled out. For these reasons, and after reviewing nearly 500 fatal dog mauling scenarios since 2005, we are including Brenda Hamilton as a dog bite fatality victim.
Canines kill more Americans every year than alligators, bears, big cats, snakes and sharks combined. Review the related Tableau project: US Fatalities from Animal Attacks 2006 - 2016.
An Update on Fatalities Due to Venomous and Nonvenomous Animals in the United States (2008–2015), by Jared A. Forrester, MD et al., Wilderness Environ Med., March 2018.
Abstract An Unusual Case of Predation: Dog Pack or Cougar Attack?, by Gabriel M. Fonseca, DDS, PhD and Rocío Palacios, BSB, PhD, Journal of Forensic Sciences, September 2012.
02/18/19: Woman Dies After Animal Attack
Pantego, NC – A 77-year old school teacher attacked by an animal Friday has died of her injuries, according to a Facebook post by Pungo Christian Academy. Brenda Hamilton, 77, of Pantego, was attacked on Indian Run Road. She suffered severe injuries and was listed in critical condition late Saturday at Vidant Pitt Hospital, according to a news release from the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. School officials announced earlier today, "Mrs. Hamilton has gained her wings."
On Friday, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call about an animal attack on Indian Run Road. Paramedics arrived to find Brenda Hamilton, 77, with severe injuries due to the attack. Sheriff's investigators, along with North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission officers and biologists, responded to the scene to determine the type of animal involved. Preliminary DNA testing has "eliminated any wild animals indigenous to the area," states the news release.
Officials later said the test results could match anything from a wolf or coyote to a domestic dog. They are currently testing dogs in the area.
Pantego is a town of less than 200 people, according to Wikipedia. Several farms are located on Indian Run Road and houses dot nearby Pungo Road. On Sunday, school officials posted to Facebook, "We continue to discover how devastating Mrs. Hamilton's injuries are. Please keep praying for Mrs. Hamilton and her family as they make difficult decisions in the coming days." Hamilton had been teaching at the Academy since 1968, according to the school's website.
Canines kill more Americans every year than alligators, bears, big cats, snakes and sharks combined. Review the related Tableau project: US Fatalities from Animal Attacks 2006 - 2016.
The location of the deadly animal attack on Indian Run Road, near Pungo Road, in Pantego.
Related articles:
11/10/18: Persistent 'Wild Animal' Theory Finally Derailed, Elderly Man was Killed by a Pack of Loose Dogs in 2015
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.
Everyone is waiting for DNA results. We want to know the truth.
The DNA has been identified as “canine”, but that could be wolves……don’t think that wolves are native to North Carolina. Someone in the area has a pit bull or pit bulls and/or pit bull mixes.
Red wolves are native to North Carolina. Where I am from in NC we have bears, wolves, coyotes, and there are even large cats in the mountains. But she was much more likely to have been stalked and killed by a pitbull or the likes.
They found the woman’s DNA in the 2 both pit bulls mouths
What MORE do they need. Most blood would have gotten washed away after they dragged her into the ditch.
Fatal wolf attacks on humans in North America are extremely rare.
Good pit bulls/bulldogs are intentionally bred to mature to become Ted Bundy dogs: smart, handsome, charismatic, cunning, sadistic, deadly, escape artist psychopaths. They are supposed to attack unprovoked, even far from home and any resource. They’re supposed to “kill or die trying”.
No one who has the welfare of all dogs as a priority would want more dogs to be born with the trait to mature to kill dogs.
Those who support dog fighters’ continuing mission to breed ever more deadly mutant maulers fo not have dog welfare as a priority.
I would never call pit bulls handsome. I will give you intimidating but they are some of if not the ugliest dogs around.
I think their appearance has helped their advocacy sadly. “Uneducated people think a giant blocky head with tiny beady eyes and a huge gaping mouth are all features bread for fighting. Only the truly intelligent know those are the best features for being a nanny. Educate yourself.” (This was supposed to be a “Breed ambassador” that is why I misspelled bred.
Pits are the only animals I know of that have had self preservation bread out of them. It isn’t just enough to inflict fatal wounds on a the other dog, they have to make it to the final “scratch” to win.
I have heard dog fighters brag about dogs missing limbs that would keep fighting. Removing flight form the fight or fight response has to cause other mental changes. Intermittent explosive aggression seems to be one of them.
Find out who owns pit bulls in the area, chances are over 90% you’ll find the culprit. Even better, look up AC records to find out whose pits have a history of running loose.
AC keeping records of such a thing? Really?
Come on, KaD. In order to keep records, they would have to actually do some work. And you and I both know that AC agencies have a work allergy.
It’s so much easier for them to pontificate about rescuing unwanted pets while bragging about their save rate.
This area has zero leash laws. There are no such records.
On the heels of the anti-BSL messaging feature film, “A Dog’s Way Home,” comes the short cartoon “Kitbull,” released by Disney/Pixar, the most recognizable and trusted names in children’s entertainment.
It’s been on Youtube 2 days and already has 1.9 M views. I’ll just let the cartoon’s description speak for itself:
“Kitbull…reveals an unlikely connection that sparks between two creatures: a fiercely independent stray kitten and a pit bull. Together, they experience friendship for the first time. ”
The short film can be viewed here… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZS5cgybKcI
Thoughts?
Thoughts? Here’s my $.02 worth:
It’s time for our side to start producing and distributing our own media. For example, a documentary that features actual cases reported on DBO. It could focus on the attacks and the aftermath.
Or how about a book? Anyone up to writing one? Colleen? How about a book describing your attack and what you did about it — founded DBO, created this website, etc.
It’s one thing to come here and talk about how the other side has captured the hearts of the animal rights movement and the media. It’s another thing to create our own narrative and get it out there.
It’s disgusting propaganda.
Pit bulls do not make such a variety of facial expressions. The cartoon character is shown with a cute little smile. Personally, I’ve never seen one without barren eyes and a strange grimace that people mistake for a smile.
Ugh. I didn’t watch the short film, but learned everything I needed to know from the comments. Every pro-pit talking point is there, from “it’s how they’re raised” to “nanny dogs.” It’s interesting to note that in one voice the pro-pit folks say “it’s all in how they’re raised” but then advocate adopting out adult pit bulls with unknown histories… or even known histories of abuse. Then they claim “bred to be nanny dogs to care for children” but when a child is mauled they blame parents for leaving a dog with a child or blame a child for doing childish things like crawling on the floor or playing with a toy near the dog. Which is it? It’s sad to think how many families will be misled by this short film. Shame on Disney/Pixar for using emotion to promote a popular lie to families.
And regarding the main blog article… what a tragedy and a sad end to this lady’s life. My mother is about that age and she wouldn’t stand a chance against a dog intent on killing her. To picture her in such a circumstance is grievous beyond description. I hope that the media has the guts to actually report on the dog breed when it’s found. For those claiming wolves, there are no words for such stupidity.
Something is strange about this. Dna test says k9 but that it doesn’t recognize what kind of k-9 it was tells me that there is something very anomalous about this dna. I truly believe there is a coverup. Dna also eliminates animals indigenous to the area meaning that whatever this thing is literally came from somewhere else unknown, stalked her then attacked her. Police brought in dogs to track the scent without success is another red flag as well.
Nuclear DNA was unable to be acquired due to the water at the scene. Nuclear DNA can discriminate at an individual level. Mitochondrial DNA is often more resilient due to there being multiple mitochondria per cell and was found on multiple evidence items. However, mito does not discriminate between individuals and, in this case, be used to determine the species of canine.
Typical scenario for a Pit/Pit Mix killing. Authorities have hidden the description/breed of dogs taken and found to have victims blood etc in their mouths etc. Zero leash laws and or animal control enforcement are mostly to blame and this could have been avoided. Fighting breed dogs have genetic traits that allow them to maul/kill and immediately after victim is dead they’ll return to a “normal” dog as if nothing happened. How many more innocent victims have to pay the price for this to continue? Why hide/cover up the bred/pictures of dogs? Victims DESERVE far more!!
It is so infuriating that a pedestrian-vicious dog (or dogs) is/are documented on local police reports as appearing to be friendly when the owner is present. Or appear to be friendly when in a controlled environment. Why not take the two dogs to a rural road that has been cleared of unarmed pedestrians, and then have local law person walk in proximity to the two suspect dogs, without the owner present. In split tenth of a second, he will find out the truth. And the truth will hurt in more ways than one, if he is unarmed. Pedestrians know that owner friendly dogs are sometimes known to be vicious if the owner is not present. But, police, owners, and local prosecutors are in total denial of this basic point of fact. It is always the pedestrians fault when at large dogs ambush attack the pedestrian that is able to defend him/herself. Local law can’t understand why some multi-thousand mile active pedestrians are Not happy with their manipulative police reports!