Posted on July 3, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: 6-Year Old Boy Killed by Dog in Lorain, Ohio

Jaxson Dvorak, 6-years old, was killed by a family dog in Lorain, Ohio.

Boy Killed by Dog
Lorain, OH - A 6-year old boy is dead after being attacked by a family dog. On Wednesday, around 4:00 pm, Lorain police responded to a residence in the 1700 block of East 31st Street for a report of a dog attack. "Officers were notified that the male was pronounced dead from injuries sustained during the attack, at which time the Lorain Police Detective Bureau and Lorain County Coroner’s Office responded to continue the investigation,” states a release from the Lorain Police Department.

Friendship Animal Protective League confiscated an adult pit bull, an adult shepherd-mix, and six puppies from the home. The Chronicle-Telegram captured a photograph of the adult dogs being seized. "At this time, no further details are available as the investigation is still ongoing. The Lorain Police Department wishes to thank the Friendship Animal Protective League for their response and assistance during this investigation. Further details will be released at a later date," states the release.

Audio dispatch files from Lorain County Police, Fire and EMS published on BroadCastify include more details. "Caller just received a call from her uncle who was watching her kids at this residence. He thinks her 6-year old son is dead. That the dog ate his face." It appears this child was visiting the dog owner's home. It is unclear if the boy was familiar with the dog. The child's name was not released. It is unknown if other adults or children were also inside the home. Both adult dogs will be euthanized.

Child Victim Identified

An update from The Chronicle identified the victim. Lorain County Coroner Dr. Frank Miller identified the child as Jaxson Dvorak. He was pronounced dead at the scene due to the injuries he sustained, Lorain Police Lt. Jacob Morris said. The six puppies, a product of the two adult dogs, were about 3 to 4 months old. At the time of the attack, the puppies were housed separately from the adult dogs, therefore, their lives will be spared, despite being the offspring of two fatally attacking adults.

For reasons unknown, the Lorain County Dog Warden did not respond after Lorain police requested their aid, according to Morris. This caused the Lorain County Sheriff's Office to contact the private nonprofit, Friendship Animal Protective League, to help remove the animals from the home. The fatal dog mauling of a child certainly would have been a "Priority Level 1" call for assistance, the highest priority. If the Lorain County Dog Warden could not respond to this, it certainly indicates a problem.

GoFundMe Started

After learning that Jaxson "passed away due to a household accident," Myk Werdebaugh, a relative, started a GoFundMe. "I can never imagine what Brittany and Lenny are going through right now, losing one of their cherished babies. Jaxson was such a beam of sunshine, just like all of his siblings. They are a very close and loving family, and this is hitting them hard." The couple has five other children. Werdebaugh also shared thoughts from Jaxson's mother, Brittany (Werdebaugh) Dvorak.

"My heart is shattered. My world has collapsed. I feel like I’m in a really bad nightmare, and I’m just trying to wake myself up but it’s not working. I’ll never get to hold his little hands again, or pick him up and give him a hug, or snuggle him, or hear him always tell me “love you momma” or him calling Kaden “Kadey”, or him yelling “John Cena” super loud before he does some random jump, or his random dances he does when he’s super happy about something, I don’t get to take him to school anymore, he doesn’t get to start first grade in the fall, we no longer get to wake up with him in our bed cuz he decided to come down in the middle of the night. Or watching him play football, which he loved so much. He made friends anywhere he went, his smile was contagious, he was the best little boy ever." - Brittany Dvorak

A 6-year old boy was killed by one or more family dogs in Lorain, Ohio. The two dogs, a female shepherd-mix, "Roxy," and a male pit bull, are seen being taken into custody.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Ohio Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

Baseline reporting requirements:
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.

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Two Pit Bulls Kill Woman in Bolivar; Police Issue Advisory for Dangerous Dogs at Large

Dog Owner Arrested and Charged Under State Felony Law

Victim's family speaks out after Theresa Rhodes was killed by two loose pit bulls in Bolivar.

Dog Owner Charged
UPDATE 07/12/24: Local media, Hatchie Press, reports the owner of the dogs in connection to the death of Theresa Rhodes was arrested on July 2, 2024 for Dogs Not Allowed at Large, Resulting in Death, which is a Class D felony in Tennessee. Antoinette Pirtle was booked into the Hardeman County Criminal Justice Complex and later released on a $5,000 bond. The arrest came just one day after Bolivar police issued the public advisory about the fatally attacking dogs still roaming at large.

The Hatchie Press article was published on July 11. It's unclear why there were no immediate media reports about Pirtle's arrest. A "booking report" on the Hardeman County Sheriff's website (Report 7-1 through 7-12-24), shows that Antoinette Lachele Pirtle was arrested on these charges by Bolivar police on July 2. The booking report was published on July 11, according to Google Search results. Pirtle resides at a home in the 400 block of East Sycamore, three houses from the fatal attack site.

07/01/24: Woman Killed by Dogs
Bolivar, TN - A 61-year old woman is dead after being attacked by two dogs, according to the Bolivar Police Department. The attack occurred in the middle of the night -- just after 1:30 am --- near the intersection of Sycamore View and Mitchell streets. When police officers arrived, Theresa Rhodes, 61, was bleeding in the middle of the street. Rhodes had "extensive injuries sustained from a dog attack," police said. Two dogs were in the area. An officer fired a shot at the dogs, and both dogs fled.

As of July 2, both dogs involved in this fatal mauling have been captured, according to an updated advisory by the Bolivar Police Department.

Rhodes was transported to Bolivar General Hospital for treatment but did not survive. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Ms. Theresa Rhodes during this difficult time," Bolivar Police Chief Mike Jones said in a press release. "Our officers responded swiftly and professionally to the situation, and we are actively working to ensure the safety of our community." Both dangerous pit bulls continue to be at large; the brown pit bull was captured on camera.

UPDATE 7/2/24 6 AM
Both dogs in this incident have been captured.

The Bolivar Police Department is advising residents in the Sycamore Street/Mitchell Street area of two dangerous dogs that are roaming the area. One of the dogs was captured on camera and is pictured below; the other is described as being blue-gray in color with features similar to a pit bull. Please be hyper-vigilant while outdoors or walking around this neighborhood.

If you see these dogs, please do not approach. - Bolivar Police Department

One of the victim's relatives posted to Facebook, "It’s one thang dying because you’re sick but to be ate to death by some dogs just don’t sit well with me Lord have mercy." Another posted, "RIP you will be missed by many #WeWe." The victim was known by family and friends as "Wee-Wee," spelled in different ways. Four hours after Bolivar police issued the dangerous dog advisory, the post remains unchanged. Local media state that police are collaborating with animal control to locate the dogs.

One of the two loose pit bulls captured by Bolivar police after the dogs killed a woman.

Bolivar police issue advisory for dangerous dogs after woman killed by two roaming pit bulls.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Tennessee Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

Posted on July 1, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bull Kills L.A. Owner with 'Bite to the Throat' in Late May; No Mainstream Media Reports

West Valley shelter, where a pit bull that killed its owner was quarantined.

Records Obtained
Los Angeles, CA - Last week, City Watch LA was the sole publication to report that a pit bull killed its owner by a "bite to the throat." The attack occurred on May 30, 2024 in the West Valley. Records obtained from Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) state the dog, "Ice" was "under quarantine for a Level 5 bite to the throat of the owner." The 53-year old victim was unconscious when transported to a hospital by ambulance. LAAS updated the bite to Level 6 after being informed the victim had died.

"Level 5 and 6: The dog is extremely dangerous and mutilates. The dog is simply not safe around people. I recommend euthanasia because the quality of life is so poor for dogs that have to live out their lives in solitary confinement." - Dr. Ian Dunbar's Dog Bite Scale

Circumstances of the attack state the victim was walking "Ice" on a leash in the apartment complex with a neighbor and her dog on a leash. "The dogs got into a fight and [the] victim tried to break the fight up when her own dog redirected towards her," state the records. This "redirect" targeted the owner's throat and was lethal. "Ice" was a male, 2-year old chocolate-colored pit bull terrier that was not neutered or microchipped. The dog weighed 99 pounds, according to its medical records.

Next of kin provided proof of ownership for the victim and surrendered the dog for euthanasia. On June 4, 2024, the dog was euthanized for "dangerous" behavior. Rabies testing results from the department of health came back negative on June 11. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner listed the victim's cause of death as, "right neck lacerations." The manner of death was an accident. No other information was released. There were no mainstream media reports about this attack.

Pit bull kills owner with bite to the throat

The male pit bull "Ice" seen on the victim's Facebook page and while in quarantine at LAAS.

More Records Obtained

Our nonprofit obtained the animal control investigation records through a public records request. The records shed more light on the dog fight and the witnesses involved. The victim was walking "Ice" and her small dog on leashes when they rounded a corner inside the apartment complex courtyard and suddenly encountered "Griffin," a golden retriever. There were multiple witnesses when the fight broke out between Ice and Griffin. It was about 8:30 pm on May 30, and darkness had already fallen.

Owner of Griffin Account

...stated that she and xxxxxx were coming back from dinner, and she had her dog "Griffin" on a harness and retractable leash. She stated that they were already inside the complex walking towards her apartment, and "Griffin" was about (4) ft in front of her. She stated that when they were about to turn a corner, "Griffin" turned first and she heard barking and growling. When she was able to see "Griffin", she saw that it was in a scuffle with another dog and she ran to try to grab her dog. She stated that she grabbed "Griffin" from the handle on his harness and she pulled him away, and as she pulled him away, the other dog immediately redirected at its owner who was also trying to stop the dogs from fighting. She stated that she saw the dog jumped at her and appeared that he started biting her...

Witness 1 Account

...stated that as xxxxxx made her way to grab pull "Griffin" from the scuffle, the other lady had already been trying to break up the fight between the 2 dogs. He stated that the owner had another small dog on a leash who was also barking and going crazy towards the other 2 dogs fighting, so she was struggling trying to control her small dog while also trying to break up the fight between the other 2 dogs. He stated that as xxxxxx pulled "Griffin" away, the other dog redirected on its owner. He stated that the lady was already hunched down from trying to break up the fight, so her dog immediately jumped towards her back latching on to a section of her back. He stated that he was not sure if the dog latched on to the neck area or her back because it was dark and he could not really see...

Witness 2 Account

...at approximately 8:40 p.m. he heard someone screaming right behind his patio area. When he went to look over his fence, he observed a dog on top of someone on the floor and latched on to their upper back, and another man holding the dog by its collar as if he was trying to help. He stated that he went inside his apartment to get his pepper spray, and by the time he went back out and looked over again, the man had left and the dog was still latched on to the person on the floor. He stated that he sprayed the pepper spray towards where the dog was, and the dog immediately stopped attacking the person. He stated that the dog did not appear to have a negative reaction to the spray, and just stopped attacking. He stated that right after the dog stopped, it sat down and laid down next to person...

Then a man showed up and yelled at Ice by name. It was the victim's boyfriend. He had been in her apartment watching TV. He knew about the dog fight but wasn't concerned. When he heard someone call his dog's name, however, he went to look for them. When he got to the scene, he grabbed Ice and tied him up. He told his girlfriend to "get up." It was not until he "used his flashlight that he observed all the blood everywhere and saw that she was bleeding from behind her head," states the report.

Prior to interviewing the boyfriend, the officer spoke with the victim's sister and cousin. "They both stated that the dog was aggressive and had bit several people before," states the report. One stated that she had lived with the victim and her boyfriend for about a year, and during that time, the dog bit two people that she knew, including her own boyfriend. Also, "she knew of at least two other bite incidents involving the dog." Both stated the dog had bitten the victim on the hand last week, as well.

Boyfriend's Account

...He asked me if we could talk in private, so we went out to the hallway. He asked me why I was interviewing the ladies in the apartment if they had nothing to do with the incident and they knew nothing about the dog. I advised him that I was talking to them because they were the ones who opened the door, and claimed to be the victim's family. He stated that they were never there, and now they want to come and get involved with Jennxxxxxx's stuff and his dog. He stated that the dog belonged to him and his girlfriend Jennxxxxxx, and the ladies that were there had nothing to do with them. I asked him if he lived there, and he stated that he did not live with her. I asked him for an ID and stated that he did not have it with him ... he wanted to know where his dog was and what was going to happen...

The Victim’s Sister

The victim's sister said that she was pronounced dead at Northridge Hospital on May 30. The dog Ice was owned by her sister. "The dog bit her sister a few weeks prior on the hand and now has murdered her sister," states the report. She wanted the dog euthanized immediately. "She stated she does not understand why this dog isn't euthanized yet when it killed a person." She provided "proof of ownership for her deceased sister with a Los Angeles Spay Neuter Voucher dated May 14, 2024."

Summary

By the age of 2-years old, Ice was not licensed, neutered or microchipped. The victim had received a free spay & neuter certificate from the city of Los Angeles just two weeks before the attack. The dog already had poor bite inhibition and a history of multiple bites (learned behavior) by this point. Neutering would not have changed those behaviors. The severity of the previous bites is unknown. However, a redirected bite targeting the owner's neck, killing her, was certainly an escalation.

Managing a large dog who had become a "serial biter" by the age of 2 is not easy for an "average" dog owner (80% of dog owners). Whether the owner failed to teach bite inhibition when the dog was a puppy, or the pit bull began biting after reaching sexual maturity (1.5 years old), doesn't matter. The victim didn't know how to manage the dog's behavior. Dog trainers and behaviorists are cost prohibitive for many. There is a reason why this victim qualified for a "free" spay & neuter voucher.

The officer's notes when interviewing the victim's boyfriend are chilling. We did not include all of them. It was clear the boyfriend -- who did not live with the victim and asked the officer to "talk in private" with him -- was insisting the dog was actually his. He no doubt would have tried to keep the dog "Ice," which killed his girlfriend, had he been able to provide proof of ownership. Thank goodness the victim's sister had proof of ownership, a Los Angeles Spay Neuter Voucher dated May 14, 2024.

In August 2019, the victim "Jenn" promoted an "End Breed Specific Legislation" petition from Change.org on her Facebook page. Her Facebook profile picture also depicted pit bulls.

Griffin, a male intact golden retriever, sustained multiple abrasions and punctures. His wounds were shaved and disinfected. He was sent home with pain meds, antibiotics, and an E-collar.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: California Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

Posted on June 29, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Killed by Pair of Pit Bulls in Snyder, Texas; Dog Owner Admits his Pit Bulls were the Culprits

Toby Berkley, 40-years old, was killed by a pair of dogs in Snyder, Texas.

News Release
Snyder, TX - A man is dead after being mauled by multiple dogs on Thursday. On June 27, at approximately 6:00 am, Snyder police officers and Scurry County EMS were dispatched to the 2900 block of Avenue J in response to a person lying in the road. Upon arrival, they found 40-year old Toby Bryan Berkley deceased in the roadway. "At this time, it appears that Mr. Berkley was walking down the road and was killed in a dog attack," states a press release from Snyder Police Chief Mike Counts.

Preliminary autopsy results confirm death by dog attack. Both dogs involved were confiscated by Snyder Animal Control. The dog's owner has been identified. "The Texas Rangers were notified and are assisting in this investigation," states the release. The Texas Rangers don't usually get involved in fatal dog maulings. The Rangers are involved in murder, robbery, fraud, public corruption investigations, and "threats against the governor and other state and federal officials," according to their website.

This is why in the 19 years we have been reporting on fatal dog attacks the Rangers have only been tangentially involved in two deaths. The death of Robert Aguilera in 2005, where Bexar County law enforcement declined their help, and the death of Betty Wood in 2015. Assistance from the Rangers could rule out criminal elements. However, the Rangers do not operate like the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, which routinely takes over fatal dog mauling investigations in areas lacking resources.

Dangerous Texas City

Snyder is the county seat of Scurry County. In 2023, Snyder was ranked as the 2nd Most dangerous city in Texas, according to KQVT and Norada Real Estate Investments, states Wikipedia. Snyder is located 90 miles southeast of Lubbock, where Berkely previously resided, according to his Facebook pages and court records. Lubbock was listed as the 5th Most dangerous city in Texas. The city of Snyder paints a rosier picture, where tourists can form the "Y" and "X" in the festive Snyder city sign.

Dog Owner Goes Public

On Saturday, June 29, the owner of the pair of pit bulls, Marco Aguirre, went public on Facebook admitting his dogs were the culprits in attack that left his friend Toby Berkley dead. Aguirre repeats the tired and outlandish argument, "My dogs did there job and protected me and my property" (sic). Berkley was his friend, not a burglar. Aguirre also has no idea how his two pit bulls "got loose and put back in they cage." Yet another "exhausted cliche" excuse from an "exhausted cliche pit bull owner."

Aguirre, who taunts his dogs with gardening tools, does not grasp the Texas felony dog attack law either. "They are my dogs and I will take full responsibility for their actions but I will not take any responsibility for any foul play and actions my dogs did" (sic). The law states that if the dog owner "fails to secure the dog and the dog makes an unprovoked attack on another person," causing serious injury or death, at a location other than the owner's property, the person has committed an offense.

"I didn't do anything to Toby or stab him. He was my friend and people need to stop cause y'all not doing any good adding lies to his death ... I didn't let my dogs out on Toby either. The same way y'all love y'all's kids I love my dogs. For the people that know me y'all know I love my dogs they apart of me. I don't know how they got loose and put back in they cage. I was nowhere around when it happened. I'm not locked up cause I come forward and been cooperative with the Snyder Police Department. And I got a city warrant for verbal assault and that doesn't make me a freaking fugitive. My dogs did there job and protected me and my property and when they did bite it's cause they were doing there job ...

So yeah they are my dogs and I will take full responsibility for their actions but I will not take any responsibility for any foul play and actions my dogs did. Rest in peace Toby and I'm sorry man for everything you went through." - Marco A Aguirre