Category Archives: Dog Bite Fatalities

A collection of blog posts from the DogsBite.org Blog documenting all U.S. dog bite fatalities in real time, beginning in 2007 through present day. Tags separate specific year sets.

Annual Update: Estimated U.S. Cities, Counties, States and Military Housing with Breed-Specific Laws (2019-2020)

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The top three regulated dog breeds: pit bulls, rottweilers and wolf-dog hybrids. BSL Estimate 2019-2020 DogsBite.org - Since 2011, we have maintained an estimate of breed-specific laws across the United States, including breed-specific policies governing military housing. A decade ago, all three major military divisions -- U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force -- banned a group of dangerous dog breeds, chiefly pit bulls, rottweilers and wolf-dog hybrids, d… [Read full blog post]

2019 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bull Kills 44-Year Old Female Owner in Somerset, Massachusetts

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Melissa Astacio, 44-years old, died after being viciously attacked by her pet pit bull. Pit Bull Kills Owner Somerset, MA - A 44-year old woman died after being mauled by a family pit bull. Melissa Astacio suffered a seizure Friday evening in her Somerset home. Her daughter called 911 and said that her mother was having a seizure when the dog started to attack her, according to a press release from the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. Police were forced to Taser the do… [Read full blog post]

2019 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman Killed, Another Seriously Injured by Three Pit Bulls in North Houston

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Medessa Ragsdale, 44, was found dead after a vicious dog attack in north Houston. Dogs Kill Woman Houston, TX - One woman is dead and another severely injured after a vicious dog attack in north Houston, according to police. The attack occurred in the 5500 block of Arlington Street near East Hamilton Road. About 5:45 am police received a call from a man who said his wife was attacked and injured by dogs. Several minutes later, another person called who said he owned the dogs. Acco… [Read full blog post]

2019 Dog Bite Fatality: Multiple Dogs Killed Teenage Boy Walking Home from School in Hollis, Oklahoma

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Victor Garces, 12, was mauled to death by dogs on Friday in Hollis, Oklahoma. Dog Owners Arrested UPDATE 12/18/19: On Wednesday, it was announced that two men were arrested in connection to the dog mauling death of a 12-year old boy. 53-year-old Jacob Benavidez and 44-year-old Ruben Benavidez, who are brothers, were arrested on charges of manslaughter in the second-degree and cruelty to animals. Victor Garces was killed by two dogs belonging to the brothers on Friday while… [Read full blog post]