In the 15-year period of 2005 through 2019, canines killed 521 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (346) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A number of fatal dog maulings have occurred in Harris County since late 2021.
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.
A 3-year old boy died days after after being attacked by two pit bulls in Brooklynn Park.
Toddler Dies UPDATE 07/30/24: A GoFundMe organized by family friends was created for Tasha and her son, Covil Allen, who "were involved in a horrific dog attack on July 19th," stated the fund on July 24. The fund was created on July 20, and has raised over $60,000. Covil gained his wings on July 29. An update posted on July 30 states that Covil "was able to donate his heart last night." His heart went to help save a 1-year old girl. The update contains several images from the honor walk held Monday night.
The mother was seriously injured while trying to save her child. Tasha has "already had two surgeries and will be having a third on her calf to repair the damage," states the fundraiser. A skin graft will also be required, states the fund. Multiple unverified screenshots sent into our nonprofit indicate the child's family was visiting the dog owner's home on Brooklyn Park Drive North on July 19 in order to obtain one of the pit bull puppies. Additional information is expected to be released by police.
Sale of Dog Confirmed
WCCO obtained a search warrant from police concerning the circumstances of the attack, which states, "There was going to be a sale of dogs taking place at the address" right before the attack happened. The little boy and his family came to the home on Brooklyn Park Drive North to purchase a dog. When the two pit bulls began to attack the child, adults in the area "started to defend the 3-year-old by using hammers and pickaxes to get the dogs off," according to a police search warrant.
Police stormed through the property's fence to reach the boy, and shot both dogs involved in the attack, killing one. The dog that survived was later put down. "All the pieces need to be put together to give us as clear as possible picture of what happened," said Inspector Elliot Faust with Brooklyn Park police. Faust promised to "leave no stone unturned" and that "we want the investigation to be as thorough as we possibly can make it." Police are asking for patience as they continue to investigate.
Items being sought in the search warrant include:
-Physical evidence including DNA collection, latent finger print collection, blood or blood like substance collection.
-Any instruments, that could have been used to remove the dogs from the victim.
-Documents, Photographs, cell phones, video surveillance, or other paperwork or electronic devices that tend to show ownership/renter of the premises or tends to show ownership, possession, or constructive possession of the evidence.
-Any documents to show ownership for the animals including but not limited to rabies vaccination, vet bills, sale paperwork, etc.
Pit Bull-American Bulldog
The Minneapolis Star Tribune, which is behind a paywall, reports that police collected the vaccination and medical records for the two dogs, "Blue" and "Nisi." The attack occurred in the backyard. One of the dogs started the attack and the other joined in. Inspector Faust specified that the dogs are American bullies, a mixture of pit bull and American bulldog. Faust said the two dogs were of "the XL variety." A breed that was recently banned in the UK, Scotland, and soon to be banned in Ireland.
Covil Allen, 3-years old, died on July 29, 2024 after being attacked by two pit bulls, according to a fundraiser for his parents, Natasha Palacios Vega and Charles Allen, of Champlin.
07/20/24: Boy Critically Injured
Brooklynn Park, MN - A 3-year old boy remains in critical condition after being attacked by two pit bulls Friday. Brooklynn Park police were dispatched to a home in the 7500 block of Brooklyn Park Drive North at approximately 12:45 pm for a report of a dog attack. Video from WCCO shows the wooden fence that police stormed through to reach the boy. Officers shot both dogs, killing one, while both dogs were actively attacking the child. The boy was visiting the home when he was attacked.
Dog Attack - On July 19, 2024, at 12:45 PM, officers of the Brooklyn Park Police Department were dispatched to a report of a dog attacking a 3-year-old child in the 7500 block of Brooklyn Park Drive N. Upon arrival, officers found two pit bulls actively attacking the child. Several officers discharged their service weapons, striking both dogs, killing one and injuring the other. The child was rescued by officers, and life-saving efforts were performed. The child was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital and is in critical condition. The injured dog was secured and transported to a nearby animal care facility. Police detectives were called to the scene, and an investigation into the incident is underway. - Brooklyn Park, MN - Police Department
Footage from WCCO shows an "Affordable Electric" business truck in the driveway of the home. WCCO also spoke to neighbor Angie Towers who is "part of the problem." Towers states, "The dogs though have always been very nice, they've been to my house, they've played with my dogs." Anecdotes don't save lives. Pit bulls are responsible for over 65% of fatal human attacks in the US. Some of them had "good" owners and others had "bad" owners; this does not change statistical facts.
The owners are also backyard breeders. Towers states, "My concern is the one female dog just had a litter of puppies." Of the thousands of animal shelters at capacity right now, most overflowing with unwanted pit bulls, what kind of people are breeding pit bulls? The owners of these dogs are the central "part of the problem." It is not just the failure to spay/neuter, it is the "willful" continuation to breed pit bulls while for nearly two decades, this breed has filled 40-60% of all shelter inventory.
KARE 11 spoke with police, who provided a dramatic retelling of the events. Brooklyn Park Police Precinct Inspector Elliot Faust called the attack "horrific" and credited officers for saving the child's life. "Those officers were heroes," Faust said. "That child would not even be at a hospital right now if those officers had not done what they did. There's not a whole lot of time to react and there's not a whole lot of alternatives that can mitigate that attack, and the risk of injury at the moment," Faust said.
One adult was also "severely" injured trying to stop the attack, reports KSTP. That adult was a female, reports KARE 11. Investigators say the dogs belong to the home where the attack occurred. The attack occurred while the boy was playing on playground equipment outside the home, according to police. The injured pit bull was secured and transported to an animal care facility, police said. No information was released by police about the alleged puppies. The violent dog attack remains under investigation.
Minnesota Pit Bull Attacks
Recent high-profile pit bull attacks in Minnesota include a Saint Paul child mauled by five pit bulls in February that had a history of aggression. The dogs' owner, Marco Antonio Mendoza Landaverde, was later charged with four misdemeanors. In April 2023, Dezmond Trawick, 22-years old, was killed by his brother's four pit bulls while dog sitting at his Brookyln Center home. After his neighbor, Jerry Nelson, tried to intervene, he explained the canines were "big, giant, dogs and I couldn't get them off of him."
Brooklynn Park police storm through fence to save boy being attacked by two pit bulls.
A pit bull seen exiting a vehicle on the property after the attack in the KARE 11 video.
We managed to get a few photographs from the dog owner's Facebook page before the page was deactivated. This was posted on July 7, less than 2 weeks ago. The context is unknown.
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.
View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: New York Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.
View the DogsBite.org Google Map: 
