Posted on August 29, 2017 by Colleen Lynn

2017 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman Killed by 'Dog Aggressive' Pit Bull While Caring for the Animal

Illustration by E.M. Ashe for 'The Bar Sinister' by Richard Harding Davis, 1903 | America’s Dog

Dog-Aggression Kills
Fountain, FL - A 76-year old woman is dead after trying to care for a pit bull belonging to family members. A Calhoun County Sheriff's deputy responded to a home on NW Lamont Road after being alerted to a dog attack on Saturday night. Alicia Malagon was found unresponsive on the floor lying in a large pool of blood. Malagon had agreed to watch her daughter and son-in-law's dogs at their home while they were away on vacation -- something she had done in the past.

"Blue bit Alicia in several places all over her body most noticeably was her right leg, which sustained extremely deep and large lacerations," - Calhoun County Sheriff's Deputy report

Malagon brought her dachshund with her when one of the dogs in the home, a pit bull named Blue, viciously attacked her dog. When she tried to separate the animals, the pit bull attacked her. The dog attacked multiple parts of her body and left extremely deep wounds on her right leg. Her pet dachshund was badly injured too. Another family member found Malagon on the floor and called 911. She was taken to Calhoun-Liberty Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.

Let there be no mistake that pit bull dog aggression kills human beings every year. In July, a Fostoria man bled to death from dog bite injuries after trying to break up a savage fight between two pit bulls. Back in April, 82-year old Cecille Short of Oklahoma City and her small dog were horrifically mauled to death by two loose pit bulls while walking down on a residential street. Emergency responders said the attack was so gruesome, the victim was nearly decapitated.

Late Evening Updates

Calhoun County Sheriff Glenn Kimbrel confirmed Malagon was dog-sitting for her daughter and son-in-law when she was fatally attacked by a pit bull after trying to break up a dog fight. "The major bite that probably caused her death was the upper-right inside leg," Kimbrel said. "She was able to move from the bedroom, literally crawl, to the living room where there was a telephone," Kimbrel said. "She reached out to her daughter and son-in-law who she was house sitting for."

Malagon was able to reach her son-in-law on the phone after the attack. Apparently, due to shock, she did not realize she was bleeding out.

Her son-in-law directed his brother, who was located closer to Malagon, to go to his home and check on her. "The man went over to the house and had to break in," Kimbrel said. "He found her on the floor." Kimbrel said she was in and out of consciousness and was transported to the hospital, but did not survive. WJGH also interviewed neighbor Linda Martin, who quickly stated the owners must have caused the dog to attack -- totally denying the breed's dogfighting heritage.

Malagon had watched her daughter and son-in-laws dogs before, apparently without any problems. But the golden rule of pit bull ownership is to "never trust your dog not to fight" with another animal. That includes pets and offspring the dog may have cohabitated with for years. That is the unpredictable, "attack without warning," nature of a dog selectively bred to fight to the death in a pit. The attacking pit bull remains in the custody of the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office.

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

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Colleen Lynn

2017 Dog Bite Fatality: 2-Month Old Baby Killed by Family Dogs in North Houston

Michael Obergas, 2-months old, was mauled to death by at least one family dog.

Baby Identified
UPDATE 08/21/17: Houston Police have identified the 2-month old baby killed by one or more family dogs. Michael James Obergas was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital on Saturday, according to investigators. Police said the baby was in a bassinet in a secure bedroom, but one of the dogs was able to open the door and attack the baby. Police and news reports did not made clear which of the two family dogs carried out this deadly attack.

"Investigators say one of the family's two dogs managed to open the door to the bedroom and attack the infant." - Associated Press, August 21, 2017

KTRK interviewed a veterinarian, Dr. Hallie Ray Moore. "You should never ever leave the baby alone in the presence of a dog," Moore said. "However, it doesn't sound like that was even done in this case. This is just worst-case scenario," she said. The two family dogs, a giant schnauzer and a Labrador retriever, were both male and named Jack. Neither their ages nor neuter status was released. The baby's parents were questioned and released by police. No charges are expected.

08/20/17: Family Dogs Kill Baby
Houston, TX - A 2-month old baby boy is dead after being mauled to death by two family dogs on Houston's north side. The baby was lying in a bassinet when his parents stepped away. The dogs, described as a giant schnauzer-mix and a labrador-mix, primarily mauled the baby in his torso area. KTRK captured video images of the animals. The two dogs, both named Jack, were surrendered to BARC, Houston's animal control agency. Both dogs have been euthanized.

"I just broke down when I heard about the baby, I didn't expect that. It was, I have no words for it, it was really bad." - Neighbor Maria Medina

The Houston Chronicle reports the attack occurred about 3:10 pm Saturday in the 5900 block of Nelwyn Street, just inside Loop 610 (other reports say Friday afternoon). Homicide detectives are investigating the baby's death. Authorities have not released the name of the child. Police said both dogs were transported to BARC following the attack. Officials confirmed to KTRK the dogs were put down Sunday evening. Their bodies will be sent to a city lab and tested for rabies.

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Colleen Lynn

2017 Dog Bite Fatality: Bangor Infant Injured by Family Dog Pronounced Dead

A Bangor infant was pronounced dead after being injured by a dog eight days ago.

Breed Clarification
UPDATE 08/07/17: No charges will be filed after a family dog fatally attacked a newborn. The attack occurred on July 29. The baby died eight days later. The dog will be euthanized, Bangor police said. "It was a tragic accident," Detective Sgt. Brent Beaulieu said Monday. The 21-day old baby boy was sleeping in a bassinet in the same room with his parents and their family dog. The couple awoke to find the animal, a husky-shepherd mix, attacking the baby, Beaulieu said.

The infant's parents, who live in Aroostook County, were visiting relatives at a home in western Bangor when the attack occurred at about 5:30 am, Beaulieu said. The dog has been quarantined at the Bangor Humane Society since the July 29 attack. The dog will be euthanized once the case is closed, reports the Bangor Daily News. The couple told police the family pet had never shown aggression before. Police did not release the degree of injuries the baby suffered in the attack.

Husky-type dogs have a long track record of killing sleeping newborns in bassinets, which is why we have called them "crib snatchers" in the past.

This baby's death follows the same scenario we have seen with huskies before, literally attacking a newborn in its bassinet or crib. The only difference in this case is that the parents were sleeping in the same room at the time. Usually, the mother has stepped away momentarily when the family husky drags a newborn from its bassinet or bedding, killing it. Since 2005, huskies have been involved in 13 fatal dog maulings. Seven of these deaths involve circumstances like this one.

Similar Husky-Type Dog Bite Fatalities

In 2005, Alexis McDermott,
7-days old, was pulled from a portable crib by the family's male husky causing enough internal injury to kill the baby. Her mother had "briefly
stepped away" from the baby to pour a glass of juice. (Coventry, Rhode Island)
In 2008, Alexis Hennessy, 6-days old, was fatally bitten on the head by the family's male husky while she laid in her crib. The mother had "left the room momentarily." When she returned, she discovered the injured child. (Hopatcong, New Jersey)
Also in 2008, Kylie Mae Daum, 3-days old, was killed by the family's husky while she laid in a bassinet in her parent's bedroom. The baby's father had "left the room briefly." Kylie had only been home from the hospital for one day. (Warren, Ohio)
In 2009, Olivia Rozek, 3-weeks old, was pulled from a bed by the family's male husky and dragged and mauled. Olivia had been lying on a bed with her twin sister when her mother "briefly stepped away." Her twin was unharmed. (Bourbonnais, Illinois)
In 2010, Robert Hocker, 11-days old, was fatally bitten by the family's male husky while he laid in a car seat on a bed in his parent's bedroom. Robert "died of head injuries" from a dog attack, according to the coroner. (Independence, Minnesota)
In 2012, Howard Nicholson Jr., 2-days old, was fatally bitten on the head by the family's male husky while he laid in a baby carrier on the living room floor. His mother had "stepped away" to go to the bathroom. (McKeesport, Pennsylvania)
In 2017, a 3-week old baby boy was fatally bitten while sleeping in a bassinet in the same room with his parents and their family dog. The couple awoke to find the husky-mix attacking the baby. The baby died eight days later. (Bangor, Maine)

Of the 13 fatalities inflicted by huskies since 2005, 54% (7) involved children 3-weeks old and younger and 92% (12) involved children 5-years old and younger. Two of the child deaths involved sled dogs in Alaska. The 2007 mauling death of 11-month old Trey Paeth in Cookeville, Tennessee must also be mentioned. Trey was in a playpen in a bedroom when two huskies tore through the siding and killed him. Trey's family was visiting the residence of the dogs' owner at the time.

Husky-type dog mauling deaths are fractional compared to pit bulls and their mixes, but husky-types are clearly very unsafe around infants.

Though fatal attacks by huskies are rare, the breed still falls within the top six killing dog breeds (3.1% of all deaths) and for the primary reason of killing newborns lying in a bassinet. In the Bangor case, the baby's parents were sleeping in the same room, indicating yet another quiet and "opportunistic" attack on a newborn. Police also state the dog is a husky-shepherd mix. German shepherds account for 3.8% of all deaths. Thus far, no photograph of the dog has been released.

08/06/17: Infant Dies of Injuries
Bangor, ME - Bangor police released a statement Sunday saying a baby died after being injured by a family dog last Saturday. On July 29, police and fire departments responded to a call about an injured infant, Bangor police Detective Sgt. Brent Beaulieu said. The child had been injured by “a family pet,” and was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. “Unfortunately, the child succumbed to the injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital,” Beaulieu said today.

Detectives describe the dog as a shepherd-mix. No other information was released by police, including the extent of the baby's injuries.

This baby's death marks the third dog bite fatality in the state of Maine since 2005, according to our records. Just last year, Penobscot County was haunted by the mauling death of 7-year old Hunter Bragg. He was brutally killed by a chained pit bull white visiting his father at the dog owner's home. In 2011, Annabelle Mitchell, 7-months old, was killed by her mother's rottweiler, named Hannibal. Katrina Mitchelle was later charged with child endangerment, a misdemeanor.

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 1, 2017 by Colleen Lynn

Authorities Charge Grandmother with Multiple Felonies

Paris Adams, 20-months old, was mauled to death by two family pit bulls in Georgia.

10 Years Probation
UPDATE 04/09/18: There will be no trial after two family pit bulls killed 20-month old Paris Adams on August 1, 2017. The day after his death, his grandmother Sandra Adams, 70, was charged with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and second-degree cruelty to children. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Adams pleaded guilty in Hart County Superior Court to involuntary manslaughter in a plea deal last month. Adams was sentenced to 10 years probation.

Prior to her grandson's death, Adams had been cited multiple times about these same two pit bulls. There were at least six ordinance violations from 2013 to 2015, including the dogs being tangled in their tether, running at large and being aggressive. Earlier news reports misstated her sentence as "10 years in prison." There will be no prison time for Adams, unless she violates her probation conditions, which we hope includes a prohibition of owning or harboring any dogs.

08/03/17: Important Clarifications
After viewing raw footage -- nearly an hour long -- published by WYFF on August 2, we learned that the fenced area is the holding facility near the sewage plant, not the grandmother's property. Currently, there is no photograph of the "fenced area" on her property. We know from earlier citations the grandmother has a fenced area where the dogs escaped. The night shot published by WYFF late August 1 was not labeled; the edit suggested it was on the grandmother's property.

Basically, we got an advance shot of the holding facility, which was unlabled, the night before this raw footage was posted to Facebook.1

Additional information gleaned from the raw footage is an interview with Hartwell Police Chief Anthony Davis. He explained that the mother of the child, Amy Adams, goes back and forth in her living situation. She sometimes lives with her sister and her mother. Said another way, baby Paris went back and forth living with his aunt and grandmother. Both households have multiple pit bulls and multiple white pit bulls too (See: aunt's dogs). Authorities are still piecing this part together.

Notably, there is a curious post by Amy on October 13, 2014, seven days after "Whiteboy," one of the fatal attackers, was issued its first citation for being at large (See: page 7). "I just found out that i CAME CLOSE to not being able to breed him anymore! But moms slick when she needs to be- shhhh- its a secret!! (sic)," Amy wrote. The "Goin for a ride," post suggests she may have whisked the dog away from her grandmother's home at that time to prevent a municipal neutering threat.

This "public" Facebook post Amy hopes is a "secret" also suggests her criminally charged mother lied in some way about Whiteboy back then.

Another post that coincides with a citation was by Laura, Amy's sister. On the morning of October 16, 2014, the grandmother was issued a citation after a brown pit bull menaced two joggers. On the same day, Laura tries to give away this pit bull (Babygirl) for free, stating, "My mom just cannot keep her anymore." Laura also clears up any questions on whether this dog is a mix. "She is full blooded," Laura writes. "She is jeep rascal and gator gotti. No mixing in that bloodline at all (sic)."

Finally, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) leads this investigation and filed the charges. The question remains whether the child's mother will also be charged. If she is charged, it will be GBI that makes this determination, along with the district attorney's office. The other unknown factor is how much skipping a 9-1-1 call -- and stopping to pick up Paris' mother before taking him to Urgent Care -- plays into the charges against his grandmother. He arrived dead at the facility.

08/02/17: DA Press Conference
District Attorney Parks White gave a press conference today providing new details. On Tuesday afternoon, 20-month old Paris Adams was mauled to death by two family pit bulls while under his grandmother's care. Sandra Adams, 70-years old, was subsequently charged with multiple felonies. After the death investigation is complete, a grand jury will determine if Adams is indicted. White could not provide any details about the autopsy results or the "family relationships."

Adams was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and second-degree cruelty to children.

Adams has been cited multiple times in the past about these same two pit bulls. There were at least six ordinance violations from 2013 to 2015. The previous citations involve the dogs being tangled in their tether (typical shoddy pit bull ownership), running at large (typical shoddy pit bull ownership) and running at large being aggressive -- typical pit bull behavior. The citations indicate the child's mother was the actual owner of the pit bulls; the two may have been living together.2

"In March 2015, officers were called to Adams home after a woman said she was walking her dogs and they were attacked by a white pit bull at large. Officers said Adams told them she was walking her daughter's two dogs when their leashes became crossed and she dropped one of them." - Fox Carolina, August 2, 2017

As we have seen in the past, this may be another case of an adult "dumping" her pit bulls on a parent who is 70-years old. No citations have been issued to Adams since 2015. This may be due to an apparent kennel system that was built (seen in the recent WYFF footage). At the time of the attack, the pit bulls were inside the home. Adams and baby Paris were outside. When Adams attempted to re-enter her home, the dogs bolted out, knocking her down, and savaged the baby.

The family owns multiple white pit bulls. Pictured below is Blueboy with baby Paris in August 2016. Blueboy is the offspring of Whiteboy (also a white pit bull). Amy Adams, baby Paris' mother, writes in the post, "Blueboy kissing Paris. If only Blueboy's parents (Whiteboy and Babygirl) were like him!!!" This indicates both of the dog's parents have aggression issues and are likely the two dogs involved in the baby's mauling death. The pair are also siblings; the family bred them together.

Fox Carolina just posted footage of both pit bulls while under quarantine: Whiteboy and Babygirl. Fox Carolina also posted the previous incident reports -- we are just now going through them.

08/02/17: Criminal Charges Filed
Overnight, a number of new developments occurred. Authorities charged the child's grandmother with a range of offenses in connection to his mauling death. Sandra Bowers Adams, 70-years-old, was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree cruelty to children and involuntary manslaughter. A news release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation states Adams had been cited on multiple occasions by the Hartwell Police Department for maintaining disorderly animals.

"Staff at the Urgent Care had requested assistance from EMS and Law Enforcement after Sandra Adams and Amy Adams entered the office with Amy Adams’ twenty-month-old son. The child had suffered extensive injuries following an apparent dog attack. Medical personnel and EMS determined the child was unresponsive and the child was pronounced dead at 3:36 pm ...

Preliminary investigation suggests that Sandra Adams, the grandmother of the child, was at her residence located at 64 Highland Avenue Hartwell, Georgia babysitting the child. Adams and the child were outside. Adams attempted to re-enter her residence at which time two pit bulldogs that resided at the residence ran out the back door knocking Adams to the ground and attacking the child. Adams attempted to both shield the child from further attack and to pull the dogs away from the child. Eventually Adams was able to get the dogs back into the residence and pick up the child. Adams then transported the child to a nearby location where she picked up Amy Adams, the child’s mother, and the two transported the child to the Reddy Urgent Care in Hartwell.3

Historical information indicates that Sandra Adams had been cited on multiple occasions by the Hartwell Police Department under a city ordinance maintaining disorderly animals." - Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Last last night, we did uncover the "cast of characters" in the brutal pit bull mauling death of this little boy. The child's mother and her sister have about seven or so pit bulls between them. Both sisters are pit bull owners, backyard breeders and know their "bloodlines" too. It seems the grandmother also owned her own set of pit bulls and likely more than two. "Boilerplate" pit bull advocacy runs heavily in the family. The below two memes are from the mother's Facebook page.

08/01/17: Pit Bulls Kill Child
Hart County, GA - Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland confirmed a young boy is dead after being fatally attacked by two family pit bulls Tuesday afternoon. The 20-month old boy was attacked in the backyard of a home on Highland Avenue, near Athens Street. Hartwell Police Chief Anthony Davis said they were called about 3:15 pm. Deputy Coroner Scott Boleman said the parents transported the child to Reddy Urgent Care, where he was called and pronounced the boy dead.

The young child lived inside the home with the dogs, Sheriff Cleveland said. Earlier reports stated one of the family pit bulls was a "white pit bull." The Hartwell Police Department, the Hart County Coroner's Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) are investigating the boy's death. The child's body has been sent to the GBI crime lab for an autopsy. The dogs will be observed for the next 24 to 48 hours before they are put down, according to the GBI, Sheriff Cleveland said.

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

1It's also the oldest trick in the book to claim someone else owns the dogs when being given a citation. The grandmother does this several times. First she blames an unknown man, then claims her daughter owns the dogs. This is not only to deny responsibility it is to deliberately confuse law enforcement. As noted in the reports, the officer had not checked to see if there were more citations about these same dogs under the daughter's name.
2If there was any delay in getting this severely injured child to the emergency center -- apparently the family did not call 9-1-1 -- that could result in these types of criminal charges. The grandmother's home is only 1.5 miles away from the Reddy Urgent Care center in Hartwell, but she also stopped to pick up the boy's mother beforehand.

DogsBite blog ::

2017 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman Killed by 'Dog Aggressive' Pit Bull While Caring for the Animal

2017 Dog Bite Fatality: 2-Month Old Baby Killed by Family Dogs in North Houston

2017 Dog Bite Fatality: Bangor Infant Injured by Family Dog Pronounced Dead

2017 Dog Bite Fatality: Child Killed by Two Family Pit Bulls in Hart County, Georgia

Authorities Charge Grandmother with Multiple Felonies