Posted on August 9, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman Killed by Large Dog Pack, Up to 25 Great Danes, in Butte County, California

Davina Corbin, 56, was killed by a large dog pack on Blackhawk Trail in Feather Falls, Butte County.

Adult Dogs Euthanized
UPDATE 08/16/24: KCRA reports that all seven of the adult great danes connected to the fatal mauling of Davina Corbin will be euthanized. According to Butte County Public Health, the 18 puppies will be eligible for adoption. Thus, it appears that DNA testing to determine which dog, or dogs, attacked Corbin is not being carried out. All of the adult dogs are simply being euthanized; the age of the puppies was not released. The investigation into her death has not led to any criminal charges.

Corbin was found dead on Blackhawk Trail at about 2:00 am on August 8. It's unknown when the dogs attacked. Neighbors said she did not own a car. They often saw her walking near Craig Access Road. Despite neighbor Max Heckler saying the dog pack had threatened him in the past, officials denied it. "At no point were these dogs ever considered a threat to humans or reported for being aggressive before the tragic event happened," said Lisa Almaguer with Butte County Public Health.

Butte County Animal Control said they received two calls about the dogs being loose, along with welfare concerns. There were "no reports of aggression." Yet, dog packs are routinely dangerous -- especially ones comprised of 25 great danes roaming at large -- and everyone in the areas of animal control, public health and policing knows this. The public knows this too, which is why Heckler got back in his car. Dogs "running at large" prohibitions are also meant to stop dog packs from forming.

Officials have not named the dogs' owner. Has he since been cited for anything? Such as loose dogs, failure to register or vaccinate, and not having a "kennel license." The county code states, "Every person who owns or controls a kennel or other place in the unincorporated areas of the county where more than five (5) dogs over the age of four (4) months are kept, for any purpose whatsoever, shall obtain a kennel license within thirty (30) days after the kennel is established and annually thereafter."

The California penal code requires prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the owner had knowledge of the dog(s) vicious propensities (previous aggression), and "willfully suffers it to go at large," and the animal, "while so at large," kills a person who has taken precautions that any reasonable person would. The easiest way to prove this knowledge is by a documented bite or aggressive behavior. The public health department is adamant they had "no reports of aggression."

No Access to a Car

Like Corbin, a number of fatal dog mauling victims did not have a car when they were torn to shreds by violent dogs. These victims are on foot or bicycle and are much more exposed to potentially dangerous and vicious dogs along rural and city roads. Had the victim been in the safety of a vehicle, the dogs would have posed little to no threat. Not having access to a car is not the same as choosing to take a walk. The former adds considerable risk and exposure to all routine and non-routine tasks.

08/09/24 Police Press Release
Butte County, CA - On Thursday, at approximately 1:58 am, a resident contacted the Butte County Sheriff's Office about a deceased woman on Blackhawk Trail, which is about eight miles west of Feather Falls. Deputies responded to the scene and located the deceased individual, who has been identified as 56-year old Davina Corbin. An autopsy performed located numerous bite marks and injuries on her body. The forensic pathologist attributed the cause of death to a domestic dog attack.

During the investigation, deputies obtained a search warrant for a nearby residence on Blackhawk Trail. While deputies executed the search, they located 25 great dane dogs. "Deputies and detectives spent the entire day capturing the dogs, who were running loose in the area," states a release from the Butte County Sheriff's Office (BCSO). As of Friday, 23 dogs have been captured and turned over to Butte County Animal Control. Detectives continue to try to capture the two remaining dogs.

BCSO INVESTIGATING DOG MAULING DEATH

On August 08, 2024, at approximately 1:58 a.m., a resident contacted the Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and reported he found a deceased victim on Blackhawk Trail, Feather Falls, California. Deputies immediately responded and located a deceased victim, who was later identified as Davina Corbin, age 56, of Feather Falls.

On August 08, 2024, a forensic pathologist performed an autopsy on Ms. Corbin. During the autopsy the forensic pathologist located numerous bite marks and injuries on Ms. Corbin’s body. Based on the evidence located during the autopsy, the forensic pathologist believed Ms. Corbin’s cause of death was attributed to a domestic dog attack.

Deputies and detectives conducted an extensive investigation. During the investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for a residence on Blackhawk Trail. The residence was located directly in front of the area where Ms. Corbin was located. During the service of the search warrant, detectives located approximately 25 Great Dane dogs. Butte County Animal Control responded. Deputies and detectives spent the entire day capturing the dogs, who were running loose in the area. To date, approximately 23 dogs have been captured and turned over to animal control. Detectives are currently attempting to capture the two outstanding dogs.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife sent the clothing Ms. Corbin was wearing to a lab for DNA analysis. The lab confirmed Ms. Corbin’s clothing was covered in DNA consistent with domestic dog(s). The lab is in the process of conducting additional testing, in an attempt to determine which dogs(s) attacked Ms. Corbin.

This is an on-going investigation. BCSO will provide additional information when available. Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives located evidence giving them cause to believe Ms. Corbin, who resides in the area, was walking when she was attacked by the dog(s). - Butte County Sheriff’s Office

DNA tests performed on Corbin's clothing confirmed her clothing was covered in DNA consistent with domestic dogs, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The DNA analysis laboratory is currently in the "process of conducting additional testing, in an attempt to determine which dogs(s) attacked Ms. Corbin," states the release. No information was released about the dogs' owner(s) or whether the dogs were part of a great dane breeding operation or rescue operation.

KHSL-TV reports that based on the preliminary investigation, detectives believe Corbin, who lives in the area, was walking when she was attacked by the dogs. A decade ago, it was reported that Corbin was experiencing homelessness. At that point, she had been camping in Feather Falls for about three years. Corbin described the community of Feather Falls as "close," whose residents were gracious and kind, including offering food and shelter to the homeless people who camped in the area.

The population of Butte County is about 211,600. The county seat is Oroville (pop. 20,000), but the highest number of people reside in Chico (pop. 101, 475). Paradise is also part of Butte County, which had one of the most destructive wildfires in California's history in 2018. The Berry Creek Rancheria of Tyme Maidu Indians of California is a federally recognized Native American Tribe headquartered in east Oroville. The Maidu tribe has a 65 acre reservation situated northwest of Feather Falls.

Family members have started a GoFundMe to help lay Davina Corbin, of Feather Falls, to rest.

KCRA reports that Max Hecker previously captured part of the great dane pack on video.

Davina Corbin was discovered dead on Blackhawk Trail after being mauled by 25 great danes.

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 August 6, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Two Pit Bulls Kill 3-Month Old Baby Boy on Bidwell Terrace in Rochester, New York

Prosecutors Charge the Teen Parents with Second-Degree Manslaughter

Sulamain Hawkins Jr., 3-months old, was killed by two pit bulls on Bidwell Terrace in Rochester.

Manslaughter Charges
UPDATE 08/22/24: The parents of a 3-month old boy who was killed by pit bulls earlier this month now face felony charges. Anastasia Weaver and Sulamain Hawkins Sr., both 19, pleaded not guilty to second-degree manslaughter. Prosecutors allege the couple left the infant on the floor in an attic beside two pit bulls for up to an hour while they went downstairs to smoke marijuana. At the time, the couple had been living in the attic of a home on Bidwell Terrace that belonged to an acquaintance.

Prosecutors believe the couple had been staying at the home for a few months and described the conditions in the unfinished attic as "deplorable." On August 3, at about 1:00 pm, Sulamain Hawkins Jr., was found unresponsive in the attic when his parents returned. After police were called to the home, first responders rushed the baby to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he died. The Monroe County Medical Examiner's Office ruled the case a "homicide" due to injuries from a dog mauling.

Both pit bulls have since been euthanized. What isn't clear is who owned the dogs, the tenants in the home or the infant's parents? WROC reports that the tenants have since been evicted. Prosecutors believe the couple was reckless. "The allegations here, we feel, support the recklessness that a reasonable person in these defendants’ situations would not have acted the way they did,” Assistant DA Sara VanStrydonck said. "They knew a risk and they consciously disregarded that risk."

08/06/24: Infant Killed by Dogs
Rochester, NY - Last night, WHAM's Bob Lonsberry broke the story in a Tweet that a 3-month old child was killed by pit bulls Saturday on Bidwell Terrace in northwest Rochester. "Initial report is that adults left the child alone with the dogs while they went to buy drugs," Lonsberry wrote. Today, WROC confirmed the incident with the Rochester Police Department. "A three-month-old baby is dead after police said he was attacked by dogs at a home on Bidwell Terrace Saturday afternoon," reports WROC.

Capt. Greg Bello of the Rochester Police Department on Tuesday described the fatal encounter as "incredibly tragic," reports the Democrat & Chronicle.

Police were dispatched to the residence around 1:00 pm where they found the boy with severe trauma. He was transported to Strong Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries. "RPD said Animal Control members secured two 'pit-bull type dogs' from the home. They believe those dogs were involved in the attack," reports WROC. The Major Crimes Unit, the Monroe County's District Attorney's Office, and Child Protective Services are investigating the attack. No criminal charges have been filed.

A 3-month old baby boy was killed by two pit bulls on Bidwell Terrace in Rochester.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: New York Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman, 60, Killed by Two Pit Bulls While House Sitting and Dog Sitting in Indianapolis, Indiana

Kimberly Williams, 60, died after being mauled by two pit bulls while dog sitting in Indianapolis.

Family Confirms Pit Bulls
UPDATE 08/05/24: The daughter-in-law of a woman killed by dogs has posted how the incident unfolded. "On Friday night, while house-sitting for a friend who was in the hospital, she was caring for his two pit bulls. Unbeknownst to her, these dogs had a history of aggression and had previously attacked someone," she wrote. After not responding to messages, a friend went to the home to check on her "and made a devastating discovery." The dogs were covered in blood, and she was deceased

"On Friday night, while house-sitting for a friend who was in the hospital, she was caring for his two pit bulls. Unbeknownst to her, these dogs had a history of aggression and had previously attacked someone.

When a concerned friend noticed she had stopped responding to messages, she decided to check on her. After receiving no answer at the door, she walked around to the back of the house and made a devastating discovery.

There, she found my mother-in-law, who had been fatally mauled by the dogs. Both animals were still outside, covered in blood, until animal control arrived to contain them.

She passed away embodying the thoughtful and loving person she was, always willing to help a friend in need. Our family is heartbroken by this senseless tragedy." - Daughter-in-law @courtneyg92

Over the weekend, we ran searches on the homeowner on the Indiana court portal. In addition to felony charges between 1997 and 2008, charges from 2013 stood out. He was charged with multiple animal control violations, including: Violation Of General Quarantine, Owner Responsibility For Animal Attack, Animal At Large/Chase And Attack Person, two counts of Rabies Vaccination Required, Rabies Tags Required, and Permanent Identification of Dog required. All charges were dismissed.

Presumably, the dogs involved in the 2013 violations were different than the dogs involved in her death; though the latter could be offspring. We did not locate more recent animal control violations on the portal website. The other aspect the daughter-in-law verified is that the victim was house-sitting because the owner is in the hospital. The victim was discovered in the home's fenced-in backyard. The dogs remained confined to the yard after the attack. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Victim Identified

The victim has been identified as 60-year old Kimberly Williams. She was house sitting and dog sitting for the owner when the dogs attacked her, IMPD said. Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) said that Williams had watched the dogs before. Despite the dogs being identified as pit bulls in the IMPD dispatch logs, as well as by a family member, police are calling the dogs "mixed-breeds," perhaps because the dogs are "pit bull-American bully" crosses or "pit bull-American bulldog" crosses.

IMPD also said they continue to investigate the history of the dogs. "Any loss of life is tragic, especially one with so much mystery behind it," IMPD Sgt. Anthony Patterson said. "[We are] not sure why [the] dogs would attack. Not sure if these animals were vicious or had a history of any of that. That’s something our detectives are working on right now." However, the unpredictability of deadly and explosive pit bull aggression is well-documented by the high courts. Both dogs have been euthanized.

Victim Lived at Home

WTHR reported that both dogs were pit bulls. Williams had worked as a dog groomer for 40 years. Not only was she familiar with the dogs, she lived at the home with the dogs. The homeowner and dogs' owner was in the hospital having open heart surgery, WTHR reports. Family members said that Williams had just given the dogs a bath when something went wrong. Luther Wagner reportedly owns the house and the dogs. But, Timothy Wagner is listed as the homeowner on the property records.

One of Luther's friends, Richard Slusher, stopped by the house on Monday. "Luther feels bad about it," Slusher said. "It's not like he meant it to happen. It's just a freak accident," Slusher said, repeating the exhausted cliche excuse used by pit bull owners since the 1980s after their dog kills a person, most often a person who is familiar with the dog. The male and female pair of pit bulls, "Cracker" and "Cookie," had been raised at the home since they were puppies, he said. "They were good dogs."

08/03/24: Woman Killed by Dogs
Indianapolis, IN - A woman is dead after being mauled by two dogs while dog sitting. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police (IMPD) were dispatched to the 600 block of Olin Avenue on the city's west side at about 6:16 pm Friday evening. Police said the woman was watching the dogs while the owner was away. Screenshots posted from the Citizen app show an IMPD Southwest Dispatch log stating, "Police and EMS are responding to a report of an unresponsive person in a backyard with two pit bulls."

Animal control was called to "handle the aggressive dogs." Police were "preparing to force entry to ensure access to the unresponsive person in the backyard," states the dispatch log transcript. "Police secured the scene, and fire and EMS" were then directed to enter through the front door. The victim has not been identified. Footage from CBS4 Indy shows the home on Olin Avenue, which has a large fenced-in backyard. The dogs were apparently loose in the backyard, not loose on the street.

There was no indication of foul play. The Marion County Coroner's Office was also called to the scene. In January 2024, Willie Mundine, 85-years old, was killed by two roaming pit bulls on the east side of Indianapolis. The same roaming dogs had attacked multiple people in the days leading up to killing Mundine. In May 2023, Marion County sheriff's deputy Tamieka White, 46-years old, was mauled to death while dog sitting a trio of pit bulls at her home on Forsythia Drive, also on the city's east side.

killed by pit bulls while dog sitting Indianapolis

Kimberly Williams was mauled to death by two dogs while dog sitting in Indianapolis on Friday.

A family member confirmed the victim was fatally mauled by the owner's two pit bulls.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: Indiana Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: 2-Year Old Killed by Three Rottweilers Inside her Babysitter's Home in North Houston

A'Daya Fisher, 2, was killed by three rottweilers inside her babysitter's home.

Mother Speaks Out
UPDATE 08/02/24: The grieving mother of a 2-year old child killed by three rottweilers while being babysat talked to FOX 26. Daja Pringle said that she now has two guardian angels, her mother and her daughter. "Now they are my angels. And, honestly, I just have to look at the blessing in all of this ... I am blessed that they are with each other and that they can guide me." Pringle said that A'Daya Rain Fisher was born premature. Though she was tiny, her personality always shone brightly.

Pringle also addressed part of the attack. Despite being attacked by three rottweilers, she said her daughter's face and body remained intact. "I saw my baby, and I laid with my baby until I couldn't anymore, and her beautiful face was still her beautiful face," she said. Pringle hopes to start a nonprofit in A'Daya's honor to raise awareness to prevent similar tragedies. She called her baby a gift. "She was a gift. She was a temporary gift," Pringle said. The family has set up a GoFundMe.

07/30/24: Child Killed by Three Dogs
Houston, TX - A 2-year old girl is dead after being attacked by three rottweilers inside her babysitter's north Houston home. The fatal attack occurred on Monday at approximately 12:20 pm at a residence in the 2500 block of Milwaukee Street near Gold Street. Police officers responded to a vicious animal call at the home and found the child had been attacked by the three dogs. Paramedics also responded to the scene and transported the child to Texas Children's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The child has since been identified as A'Daya Fisher. The cause of death is listed as, "multiple sharp and blunt force injuries due to dog bite."

The identification of the child, and the cause and manner of death, are pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. The city’s Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC) seized the three dogs. Witnesses told police the dogs attacked the child while she was inside the babysitter's home. The identity of the dogs' owner was not released. The toddler's death marks the 2nd fatal dog mauling reported in Harris County this year, and the 9th fatality since the end of 2021.

KTRK reports the three dogs were signed over and humanely euthanized on Monday. Family members would not speak on camera, but they did share that "everyone is related." The little girl is the niece of a family member. One neighbor, Randall Ard, said that he often sees the rottweilers in the family's yard. Another neighbor told KPRC that she often sees the dogs chained up outside, and the dogs barking. The house has a cyclone fenced-in backyard. It unclear why the rottweilers would also be chained.

In an evening update by KTRK, an unidentified male relative said the toddler was being watched by an 18-year-old cousin in the home when the attack occurred. He said the child spent a lot of time in the house. Cedric Smith, a family cousin, said the family has long had dogs. "They normally had [them] all locked up and whatnot, and the dog just broke through. That's what I'm thinking, because they're not like that," Smith said. Relatives are calling the toddler's death by three rottweilers a tragic accident.

There have been fatalities in the past where a rottweiler kept outside, came into the home to attack a child. In 2017, Marcos Raya, Jr., 18-months old, was killed by a family rottweiler while being babysat after the dog dashed into the home, dragged the child outside, and killed him. In 2010, Jeannette Vaughn, 3-months old, was killed by a family rottweiler in Harris County after the dog pushed through "a washing machine and slab of marble" the mother had placed in front of the back door to secure it.

Block with a History

In January, a housefire in the 2500 block Milwaukee killed a man. The fire started in the carport of a home around 11:00 am. A year ago, a man was shot four times inside a home in the 2500 block of Milwaukee after getting into a fight with his roommate over property. The shooting happened around 10:30 pm. The man survived. Both men gave contradictory stories. Now there has been a fatal dog mauling on the same block. There aren't very many homes in the 2500 block of Milwaukee Street.