Posted on December 30, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: High School Teacher Dies After Dog Attack, Former Mayor Seriously Injured

Tom Vick Sr. pictured with his daughter, Lauren Stanley, in undated photo.

Clarifications
UPDATE 12/30/13: The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that five family dogs that killed Tom Vick and seriously injured his wife will be euthanized. Former mayor Diane Vick asked that all five dogs be "put down," according to Bullhead City Police Capt. Tad Appleby. The couple was home alone with their six dogs on Sunday evening when a 40-pound shepherd attacked a 14-pound cocker spaniel, Appleby said. A boxer named Dempsey and three boxer-mixes joined the fight.

"It culminated in a big dog fight. All six animals got involved." -Capt. Appleby

The two were taken to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center after suffering multiple dog bites and lacerations. Vick died at the hospital, possibly from bleeding to death from a cut to his femoral artery, Appleby said. Investigators believe that Dempsey inflicted the fatal injury, he said. An autopsy will determine his cause of death. Diane Vick was flown to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas. A hospital spokeswoman said that she was in good condition Monday.

The couple's sixth dog, the cocker spaniel, died from injuries it suffered during the dog fight.

12/30/13: Conflicting News Reports
Conflicting news reports were published today, along with new information. The conflicts include the attacking dog being called a pit bull and a shepherd, depending upon the news source, the latter according to Bullhead City Police Capt. Tad Appleby. New information disclosed includes that there were up to 6 dogs in the couple's home and that the cocker spaniel died of injuries from the dog fight. The animals are currently being held at the Bullhead City Animal Control facility.

12/29/13: Mayor Talks to Media
The current mayor of Bullhead City, Mayor Jack Hakim, has spoken to the news media about the most recent U.S. fatal dog mauling (ironically, Hakim's Facebook cover photo depicts himself being licked by a boxer). Tom Vick, 64, and his wife, former Mayor Diane Vick, 65, tried to intervene after one of their larger dogs attacked one of their smaller dogs, but the pet dogs turned on the couple, fatally injuring Vick and seriously injuring his wife, according to Mayor Hakim.

Tom Vick Sr. died of his injuries Sunday morning, Hakim said. The incident is "pretty devastating," he said. "We've had dog bites before but never something like this," he said. "It's very sad for us in Bullhead City. She was a former mayor and he was a prominent high school teacher at Mohave High School ... We're just grateful that at least one of them was able to survive," Hakim said. Statements from police indicate that only the larger family dog, the boxer, attacked the couple.

2005 to 2012 Fatal Boxer Attacks

During the 8-year period of 2005 to 2012, boxers were involved in 5 dog attacks that resulted in human death. Two of these cases involved killing adults, Pablo Fleites, 56-years old of Miami-Dade County, Florida (2006) and Karen Gillespie, 53-years old of Hardin County, Kentucky (2009). A "boxer-mix" was also involved in the pack attack death of Rebecca Carey, 23-years old of DeKalb County, Georgia (2012). During this same period, pit bulls killed 151 Americans.

12/29/31: Man Dies After Dog Attack
An Associated Press article confirms that a Bullhead City man died from injuries suffered when he and his wife, a former Bullhead City mayor, tried to break up a fight between two of their pet dogs. The Bullhead City Police Department said that Thomas J. Vick, 64-years old, died from his injuries after being brought to a hospital. Police said that the couple tried to break up a fight between the family's boxer and cocker spaniel on Saturday evening. Both were attacked by the pet boxer.1

12/29/13: Teacher Killed in Dog Attack
Bullhead City, AZ - In a developing story, the Mohave Valley Daily News reported on their Facebook Page today that Mohave High School teacher, Tom Vick Sr., was killed late Saturday afternoon following a dog fight at his residence. His wife and former Bullhead City Mayor, Diane Vick, was also injured and is currently in ICU, according to the Facebook post. Subsequent updates announced in comments by the Mohave Valley Daily News include the following:

Mohave Valley Daily News According to the police department, Vick and his wife were attempting to break up a dog fight between their two dogs when one of the dogs turned on them both. Vick succumbed to his injuries at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center and Diane was airlifted to a hospital in Las Vegas where she is currently listed in stable condition in the ICU.

Mohave Valley Daily News Justin Brown as of right now they are being housed at the Bullhead City Animal Control. The dog that reportedly attacked the Vick's was a Boxer.

1Remember that "boxer-mix" is commonly used to disguise the pit bull breed.

Photos: Facebook.com and Bullhead City Police Department

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: Valencia County Woman Mauled to Death by Pet Pit Bull

"It was Her Time"
UPDATE 12/16/13: We are issuing a warning for readers about this update. Part one: We do not have sympathy for pit bull breeders. Part two: We do not trust any pit bull owner, no matter the stage of grieving, who says the violent death of a loved one by a pit bull was a "freak accident" and "it was her time to go." Nicholas Hare, the dead victim's boyfriend, is about as reprehensible as they come. Where was Hare when his girlfriend's neck was being ripped out by the pit bull?

Nicholas Hare

This is something that came completely out of left field.

I mean, it was her time...

As horrible and tragic as it was, it was…

It's really hard to lose five family members in one day basically [referring to four pit bulls authorities euthanized due to their aggression and his girlfriend], because they were our children for years and years.
[Concerning the breeding of pit bulls]

We did it together because it's what made our family stronger.

The last "premier" Super Nutter that arose after a fatal pit bull mauling was the husband of Darla Napora, 6-months pregnant with a child in Pacifica, California. Greg Napora was also absent when the family pit bull was ripping Darla's neck out. Napora called his wife and unborn child's violent death a "freak accident" and "It's not the breed's fault," and, in case readers have forgotten, Napora said he would bury his wife and her unborn child with the pit bull that murdered them.

RIP Michal Nelson. It was not your time.

12/15/13: Mauling Victim Identified
The Valencia County Sherifff's office released the deceased woman's name over the weekend. Michal Nelson, 41-years old, was mauled to death by one of her own pit bulls on Friday in Jarales, just south of Belen. Nelson had 12 pit bulls on her property. According to county investigators, Nelson went into one of the pens outside and was "breaking the ice out of a water bowl" when one of her pit bulls attacked her. Nelson's son discovered her body. He shot and killed the dog.

Valencia County Sheriff's officials are now looking into whether or not Nelson was a breeder.

The Albuquerque Journal provides other details, reporting that her son arrived at her Jarales home to find the pit bull on top of her, according to Valencia County Sheriff Louis Burkhard. Sheriff Burkhard added that five pit bulls were removed from Nelson's property because they displayed aggressive characteristics. "There’s no way for us to determine what caused the dog to act like it did or attack her," Burkhard said. (Because he has not seen: What prompts a pit bull to attack?)

12/13/13: Woman Killed by Pit Bull
Valencia County, NM - In a developing a story, a Valencia County woman was mauled to death by a pit bull Friday afternoon. The attack occurred at about 5:30 pm at the woman's home off Crawford Road in Jarales, just south of Belen. The Valencia County Sheriff's Department said the woman's son came home and found his mother dead from the attack. The son killed the dog immediately after the attack. The woman owned up to 12 dogs, including the pit bull that killed her.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that the woman was 41-years old. At the time of the attack, she had been "breaking ice in her front yard" when the dog mauled her to death, according to Valencia County Sheriff Louis Burkhard. The woman had around 12 dogs, Burkhard said. None of the animals appeared abused. The Office of the Medical Examiner is on scene. KRQE reports that investigators are reviewing whether she was running a dog shelter or if the animals were pets.

Photo: KRQE.com

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: Baby Dies in Columbus, Injuries Consistent with Dog Attack

Autopsy Results
UPDATE 12/11/13: Autopsy results confirmed that dog bites caused the death of a 3-month old girl. Franklin County Coroner Jan Gorniak said that Mia Gibson died from internal injuries due to dog bites. The baby died on Tuesday at Nationwide Children’s Hospital at about 7:45 am. Her mother found her on the floor next to the living-room couch where her father was sleeping just before 7:00 am. Mia had fallen from the couch and was fatally injured by the family's two dogs.

12/10/14: Baby Dies, Dogs Suspected
Columbus, OH - Columbus news organizations report that a baby girl was killed today by family dogs while her father slept on the couch. According to Columbus police, homicide detectives were called to a home on Lake Shore Drive in Hidden Lake Condominiums shortly before 8:50 am to investigate the death of a 3-month old baby. Franklin County Coroner, Dr. Jan Gorniak, told NBC4 that the young child, identified as Mia Gibson, sustained injuries consistent with a dog attack.

An autopsy will be conducted Wednesday to determine the exact cause of the baby's death.

Sgt. Steven Little, of the first-shift homicide squad, told the Columbus Dispatch that Mia was on the couch with her father, who was asleep, when she apparently fell off the couch and the dogs caused injuries that led to her death. Mia's mother, Sabrena Gibson, 34, was in her bedroom when one of the dogs at the bedroom door woke her. She went into the living room and discovered her daughter injured. Mia’s father, Chris Kusumi, 33, told detectives he had slept through it all.

Little said it appears the dogs caused the baby's death. Though the baby had no major visible trauma, she did have several small puncture wounds on her body. Animal control seized two dogs, both Japanese shiba inus, from the home. Detectives do not anticipate charging either parent. The case will be forwarded to the Franklin County prosecutor's office to decide if criminal charges are warranted. "It’s just an unfortunate situation and it’s a sad situation for the family," Little said.

Posted on December 10, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: 2-Year Old Girl Mauled to Death by Dogs in South Chicago

Family Calls for Justice
UPDATE 12/10/13: Authorities continue to investigate the death of Jah'Niyah White. She died on Saturday while staying at her maternal grandfather's home after suffering injuries from a dog attack. Family members gathered in front of his home on Monday in the freezing cold to mourn the child and call for justice. Jah'Niyah's mother, Kashairah Gardner, and family members attached balloons, photos and pink paper to a street signpost on East 91st Street and Buffalo Avenue.

It's a way to remember her, to keep her close to our hearts - Lakeeta Gardner

The child's family does not understand why no one is in jail after her death was ruled a homicide. "I want him locked up," Britt Williams-Nelson said, who is the child's paternal grandmother. "I want the police to be over here and see him and take him into custody ... It's been ruled a homicide. Why is no one in jail?" she demanded. "I want justice for Jah'Niyah," she said. "The person that did this to Jah'Niyah? I want to see them behind bars for what they did to my granddaughter."

Kashairah said she left her daughter at her father's house Friday night. She said she left work early Saturday, "haunted by an eerie feeling," states the Tribune article. When authorities told her about her daughter's death, "They told me my baby was gone, just gone," she said. When asked by reporters if she had ever worried about her father's two pit bulls, Gardner shook her head through tears. Gardner said her daughter "was attached to them, and they was attached to her."

12/09/13: Two Pit Bulls Seized
The Chicago Tribune reports more information about the little girl's family members and circumstances surrounding her death. Jah-Niyah White, 2, was pronounced dead on Saturday after suffering multiple injuries from a dog attack. Britt Williams-Nelson, the child's paternal grandmother, told the Tribune when reached by phone: "I've been up for the last 48 hours," she said mournfully. "I can't sleep. I can't eat. I can't do anything except worry about my baby."

Williams-Nelson resides in Phoenix, a suburb south of Chicago. At the time of the attack, Jah-Niyah was staying at her maternal grandfather's home in the 3300 block of East 91st Street in South Chicago. The Chicago Police Department continues to investigate her death. No arrests or charges have been filed as of Monday morning. The city's Department of Animal Care and Control seized two dogs from the grandfather's home; the girl's family said both dogs were pit bulls.

Police contacted the city's Department of Animal Care and Control, who took custody of two dogs, one named "Brownie" and another named "General Chico,"’ according to a police report. Officials with the Department of Animal Care and Control have not returned several telephone calls today. The family said both dogs were pit bulls, an adult female dog and her puppy. - Chicago Tribune

The Tribune also reached Jah'Niyah White's mother, Kashairah Gardner, 20, by phone this morning, "I'm doing okay," she said. "I'm hanging in there." Jah'Niyah's father, John White, 21, lives and works in Missouri, but arrived at his mother's Phoenix home last Thursday, bringing Christmas presents for his daughter. Williams-Nelson said the girl's parents are no longer together, but remain good friends. Williams-Nelson said her son "can't stop crying" since the child's death.

Williams-Nelson and her husband cared for the child at least once a week. "We were part of her life as much as her parents were. My husband loved (her) more than life itself," Williams-Nelson told the Tribune. She also said she had 4,000 photos of the child on her cellphone and is currently surrounded by a room filled with Christmas presents that were intended for Jah'Niyah. Kashairah Gardner, sadly, is now arranging to give to needy children the gifts she purchased for Jah'Niyah.

Circumstances Surrounding Her Death

Chicago Police detectives were called to the East 91st Street home at 2:45 pm Saturday to assist Chicago Fire Department. According to a police report, the 50-year old man who called police led officers to the bathroom of his third floor apartment, where the child was found "lying on the floor on her back with a white towel around her neck." The man told police officers she was "bouncing on a bed when she fell off and struck her head on the corner of a dresser," the report stated.

The man's relationship to the child was not given in the police report.

Officers saw that Jah'Niyah was still breathing and felt a pulse. Paramedics began rushing her to University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. On the way there, however, she "went into defibleration (sp)" and paramedics had to go to the nearest hospital, Jackson Park Hospital, where she later died. A doctor told police that Jah'Niyah had several lacerations and puncture wounds on the back of her head and her neck, and that her left ear lobe was missing, the report stated.

12/08/13: Girl Killed by Dogs
Chicago, IL - In a developing story, a 2-year old girl was mauled to death by one or more dogs at a South Chicago home yesterday. Jah’niyah White died at Jackson Park Hospital on Saturday at 3:40 pm after suffering a head injury at her maternal grandfather's home in the 3300 block of East 91st. An autopsy conducted Sunday found the girl had been neglected and died from multiple injuries she sustained in a dog attack, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

The medical examiner’s office ruled her death a homicide.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is investigating the girl's grandfather for allegations of abuse. A spokeswoman said the agency has had no prior contact with the family. The grandfather has not been charged with a crime. Jah’niyah's father, John White, said she did not live at the 91st Street home, but was staying there while her mother was at work. He said he was told the girl fell. Erin Lewis, a family friend, said, "Everybody is just really in pieces right now."

"Visiting" the Dog's Owner

So far in 2013, 41% of all victims of fatal dog maulings were either visiting or living temporarily with the dog's owner at the time of the deadly attack. 83% of these victims were children, 7-years and younger. Over half of these victims, 58%, were under the care of a family member, relative, friend or babysitter at the time of the fatal attack. One of these incidents (8%) involved a chained dog and a young child. Excluding the death of Jah'niyah White, 91% of these attacks involved pit bulls.

Breed information still remains unavailable in the most recent U.S. dog attack resulting in death.