Category Archives: Dog Bite Fatalities

A collection of posts from the DogsBite.org Blog documenting U.S. dog bite fatalities in real time, beginning in 2007. Tags separate specific years.

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2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Owner Charged After Dogs Contribute to Man's Death in Chesterfield County, South Carolina

Scottie Brigman, 34, was found dead covered in bite marks with four pit bulls nearby. Dog Owner Charged UPDATE 07/18/22: A Chesterfield County man is now facing serious charges after a man was found dead after a dog attack. Chantell Ross, 47, faces one count of involuntary manslaughter and three counts of vicious unleashed animals in connection to the death of Scottie Brigman. His body was discovered in the middle of a dirt road off Bailey Saw Mill Road on May 14 covered in bite m… [Read full blog post]
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2021 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bull Owner Charged with Manslaughter After Multiple Attacks in Oklahoma

State of Oklahoma v. Morrow, Rise Jo (CF-2022-131) Rise Morrow is charged with manslaughter in the 2nd degree, "Owner of a Dog that Kills." Man Died After Bite Injuries Claremore, OK - On May 9, reporter Lori Fullbright of Tulsa-based KOTV, published part of a charging document on her Facebook page. Otherwise, we have seen no other news reports about these charges or the multiple victims involved. Rise Jo Morrow (also known as Risa), who is in her 60s, was charged with second-d… [Read full blog post]

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Public Health Employee Killed by Pack of Dogs in Alabama; Second Victim Killed by Same Dog Pack

Franklin County Dog Owner Faces Felonies after Dog Pack Kills Two Summer Beard and Michele Sheeks died after being attacked by the same pack of dogs. Dog Owner Found Guilty Update 11/14/25: After years of delays in the criminal trial of Brandy Dowdy, 42, in connection to the dog mauling deaths of two women in 2022, a Frankiln County jury was seated on November 3, 2025. The case had been delayed 15 times since the indictments were issued in August 2022. Dowdy was charged with two co… [Read full blog post]

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Dies After Breaking Up Dog Fight in Kewanee; Did not Seek Treatment After Severe Bite Injuries

Juan Ruiz, 66, died after breaking up a dog fight at his home in Kewanee, Illinois. Victim, Dog Breed Identified UPDATE 05/02/22: One week after a man died after breaking up a dog fight, the victim has been identified, as has the breed of dog involved. Kewanee Police Chief Nicholas Welgat confirmed Henry County Coroner's office information that the victim was Juan Ruiz, 66 of 819 North Vine Street. The breed of the attacking dog was a pit bull. County Coroner Melissa Watkins sai… [Read full blog post]