Posted on February 1, 2014 by Colleen Lynn

2014 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman Killed by Her Grandson's Three Rottweilers in Corona

Annabell Martin, 89-years old was killed by her grandson's three rottweilers.

Woman Found Dead
Corona, CA - An elderly woman was discovered dead in her garage after being mauled to death by her grandson's three rottweilers, according to officials. Police responded to a call about 4:40 pm Sunday, January 26, to a home in the 1500 block of Pera Street, according to Corona police Capt. Tom Weeks. They found Annabell Martin, 89-years old, dead after being attacked by the three dogs. The Riverside County coroner's office website simply states, "Victim of dog mauling."

Sgt. Kurt James, of the Riverside County coroner’s office said that Martin died at some unknown time earlier that day. No one witnessed the attack, according to Weeks. Arriving police officers shot one rottweiler to death after the dogs lunged at them; the other two dogs were confiscated and euthanized. The grandson told police the animals had no history of aggressive behavior, Weeks said, and officials had no record of animal control receiving complaints from the house.

A separate news report states that the victim's daughter discovered Martin's badly bitten body.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: U.S. Fatal Rottweiler Attacks By State

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Colleen Lynn

2013 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Statistics - DogsBite.org

Fatal Dog Attack Statistics
DogsBite.org recorded 32 fatal dog attacks in 2013. Citations of each victim's history are located on the Fatality Citations page. The last year the CDC recorded human deaths by dog breeds was 1998. Likely due to pressures from animal advocacy groups, the CDC discontinued research in this area. Since 1998, pit bulls alone have killed 236 U.S. citizens. The only other known nonprofit organization, in addition to DogsBite.org, that tracks this vital data publicly is Animal People.

32 U.S. dog bite-related fatalities occurred in 2013. Despite being regulated in Military Housing areas and over 700 U.S. cities, pit bulls contributed to 78% (25) of these deaths. Pit bulls make up about 6% of the total U.S. dog population.1
Together, pit bulls (25) and rottweilers (1), the second most lethal dog breed, accounted for 81% of the total recorded deaths in 2013. This same combination accounted for 74% of all fatal attacks during the 9-year period of 2005 to 2013.
The breakdown between these two breeds is substantial over this 9-year period. From 2005 to 2013, pit bulls killed 176 Americans, about one citizen every 18.6 days, versus rottweilers, which killed 33, about one citizen every 99.5 days.
See full report: 2013 U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Statistics - DogsBite.org.
News release: Nonprofit Releases 2013 Dog Bite Fatality Statistics.

Discussion Notes

Several areas stand out in 2013 dog bite fatality statistics. The percentage of pit bull fatalities in 2013, 78%, is a 28% increase from 2012 and is the highest percentage ever recorded in the 9-years of data DogsBite.org has collected (2005 to 2013). The following represents the year and the percentage of pit bull fatalities of the total dog bite fatalities recorded for that year: 2005 (57%), 2006 (58%), 2007 (60%), 2008 (65%), 2009 (44%), 2010 (67%), 2011 (71%) and 2012 (61%).

Adjacent year fatality data is usually insignificant, but a 9-year high is not when in context with years showing a steady rise. Adjacent year nonfatal attack data, however, can be very significant. The latest report by Merritt Clifton, Dog Attack Deaths and Maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to December 31, 2013, shows a shocking rise in nonfatal pit bull attacks -- involving serious bodily injury, disfigurements and maimings -- between 2012 and 2013 (See: graphic chart).

Visiting Dog Owner's Home and Babysitters

In 2013, over one-third, 38% (12) of all dog bite-related fatality victims were either visiting or living temporarily with the dog's owner when the fatal attack occurred, up from 32% in 2012. Children 7-years and younger suffered the brunt of these attacks, 83% (10). A closer look shows that 7 of the 12 deaths involved babysitters, and all 7 deaths were inflicted by pit bulls. In at least 5 deaths, multiple pit bulls were in the babysitter's household too, as if one were not dangerous enough.

In the death of Daniel "Doe," 2-years old, the babysitter was watching 5 children at the time -- all under 10-years old, each with special needs. Lara Czerniski, 28, also had 4 adult pit bulls in her household. In this "loaded" high-risk scenario, it is not unpredictable for a disaster to unfold. The other egregious babysitter case involved Samuel Zamudio, also 2-years old. At the time of the attack, he was being watched by his uncle in a household with 8 pit bull-mixes (5 were adults).

Parents must come to grips with what this data means. It is a high-risk scenario to allow your child to visit the home of a friend or relative with one or more pit bulls. It does not matter if those pit bulls are "good" to the dog owner's own children -- those children are not visiting. All babysitters must be thoroughly questioned by parents regarding 1.) If they have dogs in their household and 2.) If yes, what kind? If the answer is pit bull or other known high-risk dog breed, find a new babysitter.

Data Collection Method: How We Collect U.S. Dog Bite Fatality Data

1Dog attack deaths and maimings, U.S. & Canada, September 1982 to December 31, 2013, by Merritt Clifton, Animal People, December 31, 2013.

Posted on January 18, 2014 by Colleen Lynn

2014 Dog Bite Fatality: 4-Year Old Girl Killed by Family Pit Bulls in Bloomington

Mother Recounts Attack
UPDATE 04/29/14: On April 29, 2014, Roxanne Miller Hartrich, Kara's mother, provided a written account of the vicious attack that killed her daughter to DaxtonsFriends.com. She describes how that day, Kara's 4th birthday, had beautifully begun. When she walked out the door that morning, headed for work, it would be the last time she ever saw her daughter alive again. As she hurried home from work and pulled into her subdivision, she noticed a "red glow" over her street corner.

Kara Hartrich – Bloomington, Illinois – killed by the family pit bull on her 4th birthday
By Roxanne Miller Hartrich

...I got off work a little early that day and decided that she needed a few more presents that just couldnt wait to be bought, and then i headed home, my husband called me and wanted to know why brutus was outside when he got home i said i didnt know i was on my way home and would be there soon...and then my nightmare began...I pulled into the entrance of my subdivision, and noticed a red glow over the street corner, i remember wondering what on earth could be going on, on my quiet little subdivision full of daycares and minivans...As I rounded the corner I could see the street was blocked off, full of firetrucks, police, and families standing outside -- i still wondered what was going on, I was flagged and told to pull over, I then looked up and saw that it was my house they were all at, my yard was taped in crime scene ribbon, full of police officers, fire personnel, lots of noise and commotion, i was met by police officers, my husband covered in blood...

Read account in full » | Related news article »

01/30/14: Family Dogs Euthanized
McLean County authorities have euthanized all three family pit bulls seized in connection to the death of a 4-year old girl. Kara Hartrich died of massive blood loss due to multiple dog bite injuries after being attacked by at least two of the family's pit bulls. McLean County officials put all three dogs down, two unneutered males and one female, after the state-mandated 10-day rabies quarantine period, according to McLean County Health Department spokeswoman Kera Brossette.

McLean County State’s Attorney Jason Chambers said that no charges would be filed as a result of the deadly attack. "Sometimes, if we know there is a dangerous dog involved, because of a prior documented history to attacks, then we can make an argument of criminal wrongdoing," Chambers said. "In this circumstance, the dog(s) involved did not have a prior documented history of bites," he said. As is true in numerous severe maulings and fatal attacks inflicted by pit bulls.

Learn about Illinois state issues regarding this fatality: Pit Bull Attacks and Dogfighting in Illinois

01/20/14: Died on 4th Birthday
Kara Elizabeth Hartrich, 4, of Bloomington died on her fourth birthday, according to her obituary. She was pronounced dead on January 17, 2014 after suffering massive blood loss and multiple dog bites to her head, neck and arms after being attacked by at least two of her family's three pit bulls. Kara was born on January 17, 2010, according to her obituary. An online fundraiser set up at Youcaring.com raised over $15,000 to help her family pay for funeral costs and related expenses.

01/18/14: Fatality Victim Identified
The 4-year old girl killed by one or more family dogs in her Bloomington home has been identified as Kara Hartrich. McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling said an autopsy done Saturday revealed that Kara Hartrich died from massive blood loss and multiple bites to her head, neck and arms. She was pronounced dead at 5:50 pm on Friday at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal. McLean County Animal Control department seized all three of her family's pit bulls.

Pantagraph.com reports additional details, including that she was attacked by at least two of the family's three pit bulls. All three dogs are adults; two unaltered males and one female. Authorities believe the two male pit bulls are responsible for the attack. At the time of the attack, the child's grandmother was babysitting Kara and her 2-year old sister. The grandmother tried to separate the dogs from Kara, but the animals turned on her. She then tried to protect the 2-year old child.

The family lives in a subdivision with streets named after the Monopoly game. Kara's street, Parker Avenue, is a street filled with two-story houses with fenced yards, swing-sets and minivans, according to Pantagraph.com. Seems like the ideal setting of a safe family neighborhood, except for her family's choice in dog breed, which kills more people that all other breeds combined. Kara's mother described her as a "happy little girl" and now she is making funeral arrangements for her.

Images of the family's three pit bulls from the father's public Facebook page (Jan. 18, 2014).

Hartrich family pit bull prior to the pit bull mauling death of Kara Hartrich

01/18/14: Autopsy Underway
Bloomington, IL - Late Friday afternoon, Bloomington Police responded to a call regarding an unresponsive child in the 2000 block of Parker Avenue. Upon arrival, rescue personnel discovered an unresponsive 4-year old girl with multiple dog bite injuries at the family home, according to McLean County Coroner Beth Kimmerling. The child was transported to Advocate BroMenn Medical Center in Normal where she was pronounced dead by Emergency Department Staff.

An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for Saturday morning, according to Kimmerling. “Early information suggests that the 4-year old was at home with a younger sibling and a grandparent when the incident occurred,” Kimmerling said. The family owns three dogs, described by their owners as pit bulls. McLean County Animal Control took the animals into custody. It is expected that the child's identity, along with preliminary autopsy results, will be released Saturday.

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

Posted on January 5, 2014 by Colleen Lynn

2014 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman Dies After Pit Bull Attack in Southeast Houston

Christina Bell and flowers left where she was killed by two pit bulls.

Dog Owners Charged
UPDATE 07/01/14: In an unexpected development, Harris County prosecutors are charging both dog owners in connection to the death of Christina Bell, who was viciously killed by at least two pit bulls in early January. Timothy Dewayne Coleman, 33, and Tiara Deshawn Thomas, 26, who owned at least one of the attacking pit bulls, are being charged under the state felony dog attack law. Click2Houston reports that Coleman and Thomas were taken into custody this afternoon.

Vicious dog attacks which result in seriously bodily injury or death will not be tolerated. - Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson

Anderson goes onto state: "We have evidence that the dog had killed another dog. And has been involved against two other attacks against people. So, this is a case where frankly, we're going to make an example of these two owners." It's about time too. Harris County leads all Texas counties in fatal dog attacks. Since January 2005, there have been seven fatal dog maulings in Harris County. This is the first one to our knowledge that has resulted in felony charges in the county.1

Also, in late June, the Houston Chronicle published an update about the criminal investigation and stated that Christina's husband, Benjamin Bell, filed a negligence lawsuit in February. The lawsuit accuses Thomas, the Glenwood Village Condominiums Association and James Nguyen, Thomas' landlord, of failing to secure or control a dog, failing to warn of its "dangerous propensities" and failing to comply with the city's leash laws. Bell is seeking damages of at least $1 million.

01/07/14: Cause of Death Released
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences has identified the victim as Christina Burleson, 43, who was also known as Christina Bell. The agency determined "blunt and sharp force injuries of the neck and upper extremities" as the preliminary cause of death. The female pit bull captured by authorities shortly after the attack was "covered in blood" later determined to match the deceased woman, according to Christopher Newport, a spokesman for the BARC animal shelter.

A second pit bull was seized Sunday afternoon when officials located a woman who claimed both dogs. The owner was cited for allowing the two dogs to run at large. After four puppies were found in her apartment, she was also cited for not having current rabies vaccinations or pet licenses for any of the six dogs and for violating the city's animal "care and keeping" regulation. Police and the Harris County District Attorney's Office will determine whether to pursue criminal charges.

01/06/14: Mauling Victim Identified
Authorities have identified the woman mauled to death by several loose pit bulls. Christine Bell was killed by the animals early Sunday morning. The dogs also attacked two other people. Houston animal control officials now have both female pit bulls in custody, which belong to the same owner. Only one of these dogs is believed to have been involved in the attack. The dog's owner was not home when KTRK visited, but predictably, pit bull puppies were home.

Authorities are still looking for additional pit bulls involved in the attack.

Christine Bell and her husband, known as B.B., were longtime members of the Servants of Christ United Methodist Church at Park Place. The pastor, Will Reed, knows the couple well. He told KTRK that he remembered the last time he spoke to Christine. "I actually went by that intersection Friday afternoon and saw her and spoke to her and said, 'Stay safe,'" Pastor Reed said. Though homeless for years, Reed said the couple got married in the church and recently got an apartment.

01/05/14: New Details Released
News continues to be released and updated about the first deadly pit bull mauling of the new year. At around 2 am Sunday morning, a woman in her 40s died after being attacked by up to three loose pit bulls in southeast Houston. The animals also attacked two other people. Authorities say the three victims were attacked by at least two female pit bulls. The dogs are estimated to be about 1-year old and 30 pounds, according to the City of Houston Animal Control manager.

Osby Pineles,2 21, who lives in the neighborhood, tried to pull the dogs off the woman. Pineles said she was already dead when he arrived. He said that one dog appeared to be eating her when he approached the body. The two female pit bulls then attacked him. Pineles was bitten on his legs and arms. The third victim, a female, was taken to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital for treatment. Authorities captured one pit bull and are still searching for at least one more.

The Click2Houston coverage continues to press the "stray" and "feral" dog themes, which is notably absent in the Houston Chronicle coverage. What is important to remember about alleged "stray" or "feral" dogs inflicting serious or fatal injuries is the following: In the vast majority of cases, the dogs are currently owned, but roaming without collars or were previously owned, but got lost or were abandoned (See: Pack of Dogs Kills Boy in Cibola County, New Mexico).

01/05/14: Pit Bulls Blamed in Fatal Attack
Click2Houston reports that the three attacking dogs are pit bulls, according to Houston police. Two of the pit bulls "are still out there," according to investigators. Animal control did capture one of the dogs. Because that dog lacked a collar, police believe all three might be strays (Come on Houston PD! You must have more experience with "typical" negligent pit bull owners than any other jurisdiction in Texas!). Loose pit bulls, reportedly, are a growing problem in the neighborhood.

01/05/14: Woman Dies After Dog Attack
Houston, TX - A woman is dead after neighbors say she was attacked by dogs in southeast Houston overnight. Neighbors said they heard screaming a little after 2 am, and saw a woman's body lying in the street. A witness said that a man who tried to help her was also attacked; he was treated on scene. Neighbors said three dogs were involved in the attack. Two were picked up by their owner before police arrived and a third, an alleged stray, was taken away by animal control.

An early report from the Houston Chronicle states that the victim, in her 40s, died at the scene of multiple wounds, according to police. A second victim is being treated at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. A third person suffered minor injuries, not requiring hospitalization. Victims told police that two loose dogs in the neighborhood attacked them; they did not know who owned the dogs. The victims were attacked about 2 am Sunday morning on Glen Prairie near Leonora.

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

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1The lack of criminal charges after the deaths of Edna Dyson and Juan Campos were especially hard to swallow. However, Anderson is signaling a change in Harris County. So, kudos to the Harris County Prosecutor's Office!
2January 6 updates to the Houston Chronicle article reflect that Osby Pineles was the victim treated at Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. His friend who was with him that night, Gustavo Velasco, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. So the two other victims were male (initial reports said one of the victims was female). We hope both men are receiving counseling after witnessing this horrifically violent fatal pit bull attack.

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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