Posted on June 3, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Elderly Man Killed by Pit Bulls Near his Front Door in Lawrence County, Alabama

Willard Norton, 83-years old, was killed by dogs in Lawrence County, Alabama.

Dog Owners Arrested
UPDATE 04/01/25: Following a grand jury indictment, two people were arrested in connection to a deadly dog mauling that occurred in June. Jonathan Lynn Nix, 56, and his daughter Bridget L. Lamons, 35, were charged with reckless manslaughter, a Class B felony, for the death of Willard Norton Nix and Lamons were booked into the Lawrence County Jail on a $30,000 bond each. Norton, who lived next door to the pair, was found unresponsive outside after being attacked by their two pit bulls.

After the fatal attack, Norton's family said the dogs had a history of previous acts of aggression, including killing Norton's own dog a year earlier. The arrest announcement did not share any details about the criminal investigation, but for prosecutors to show "reckless manslaughter" beyond a reasonable doubt, at least one of the dogs had previously bitten one or more individuals. The reckless manslaughter charge is a higher felony charge than the state's felony dog attack statute.

Back in September, just four months after Norton's death, Nix and his wife Melissa Todd (Missy Nix), were arrested for domestic violence. Todd was also charged with harassment. According to the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Nix was bitten by one or more dogs in the house. The dogs involved in the fatal attack had already been destroyed. It isn't known why Todd was not charged in connection to Norton's death. In October, the family of Norton filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Nix and Todd.

06/03/24: Man Killed by Neighbor's Dogs
Town Creek, AL - An 83-year old man was mauled to death by two pit bulls on Sunday. Lawrence County sheriff's deputies responded to the 200 block of County Road 264 at approximately 3:30 pm for a report of a dog attack. Upon arrival, first responders found Willard Norton near the entrance of his front door. They began giving him medical treatment, but he was unresponsive. Norton was airlifted by helicopter from Donald Baptist Church to a local hospital, where he died of his severe injuries.

Eyewitnesses said the two pit bulls also attacked other members of Norton's family. Animal control officers took the canines into custody. The Alabama Department of Forensic Science is conducting the autopsy. "Once the investigation is completed by the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, those findings will be presented to the Lawrence County District Attorney's Office," Brian Covington, Chief Deputy of the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office said in an emailed to The Moulton Advertiser.

Shoals Insider reports, "Authorities have confirmed to Shoals Insider that an 83-year-old man was fatally attacked by two pit bulldogs Sunday afternoon ... Mr. Willard Norton, who would have turned 84 in July, was viciously attacked by the neighbors’ dogs as he was tending to his roses in his front yard. The dogs were reportedly taken in by animal control. Norton succumbed to his injuries a short time after the attack." The Insider posted photos of the the victim's home and the dog owner's home.

Police believe the dogs belong to the victim's neighbor. Despite the passage of Emily's Law in 2018, vicious dog attacks are not a strict liability offense in Alabama. The dogs must have been previously declared "dangerous" by a court to result in a Class B felony. If no dangerous declaration exists, prosecutors must prove "the owner of the dog had prior knowledge of the dangerous propensities of the dog, yet demonstrated a reckless disregard" of them, which can result in a Class C felony.

Earlier this year, there were two fatal dog maulings 4-days apart in north Alabama. The death of 4-year old Beau Clark in Hartselle and the death 2-year old Mark Partain in New Hope. Norton's death marks the third fatal dog mauling in north Alabama since late February. Last year, there were three fatal dog maulings in the Birmingham region. The deaths of infant Leo Caddel in Shelby County, and the deaths of 74-year old Joe Scott and 63-year old Sharon Portis, both in Jefferson County.

Previous Attacks

Late Monday, media outlets began reporting about previous acts of aggression by the dogs belonging to Norton's neighbor. WHNT spoke to family members. “It’s been an ongoing problem for more than a year,” one granddaughter said. “He tried to handle it civilly, talked to them, wrote letters, this was all avoidable.” In the past few weeks, the dogs threatened Norton's son, but he was able to reach safety, the family said. The same dogs responsible for Norton's death killed his dog last year, the family said.

WAAY-TV reports that sheriff's officials confirmed the Norton family did contact their department a few times about the neighbor's dogs. It was also reported that another large could be seen and heard barking in the window of the neighbor's home after the two pit bulls were removed. Criminal charges, specifically, will rely upon whether it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that one or both seized pit bulls were involved in any previous attacks. The autopsy is set to be performed Tuesday.

"The Watermelon Man"

Norton's grandson posted wonderful a tribute. "I have held it together for the most part during this whole situation until I found this picture of me and the watermelon in Papaws yard ... He was a man in every way I hope I will be someday. He loved people the way we should love people. He prayed for me beside his truck at the station when I lost my job ... He spared the dogs lives multiple times that ultimately took his life. I can’t wrap my mind around any of this. It’s just not right," he wrote in part.

Willard Norton, 83, was killed by two pit bulls while tending to his roses in his front yard.

One of the dogs involved in the Lawrence County, AL dog bite fatality.

On June 1, 2024, one day before two pit bulls killed Willard Norton, the owner of the dogs on County Road 264 tried to rehome a female pit bull because a neighbor was "threatening to shoot it" -- the dog constantly runs at large. Finding her a home "ASAP" was not fast enough.

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

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 May 31, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Pet Husky Attacked, Killed Newborn Sleeping in Crib in Knoxville, Tennessee

A pet husky attacked, killed a newborn while he slept in his crib in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Husky Kills Infant
Knoxville, TN - An infant is dead after being bitten on the head by a pet husky. Ezra Mansoor, 6-weeks old, passed away Thursday. The attack occurred on May 24 while the infant was sleeping in a crib. "Ezra was just asleep in his crib -- not crying or anything. And she just attacked out of nowhere," the baby's mother, Chloe Mansoor said. The 8-year old female husky is being held in a bite quarantine at the Young-Williams Animal Center. Chole said the dog had not shown aggression in the past.

A GoFundMe created four days ago states, "On Friday, May 24th, Mark and Chloe’s son Ezra was the victim of a dog attack and is in critical condition at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville. He is currently intubated and sedated with life-threatening injuries, the most serious being a brain bleed and brain swelling. Ezra is only 6.5 weeks old and his parents are completely devastated." Yesterday, the fund announced the baby's death. The infant's organs were donated to other children.

The mother also stated, "It could be any dog at any time." However, apparently no one warned the young parents about the track record of huskies killing newborns and infants by biting them on the head, specifically when the infant is lying in a crib or bassinet, and specifically when the infant is sleeping. Ezra's death marks the third husky-inflicted infant death this year. Brayden Heery, of Milford, Connecticut, was 2-weeks old. Amaya Carmack, of Greenville, Tennessee, was 4-days old.

Husky-Inflicted Infant Deaths

Despite huskies being infrequently involved in fatal dog maulings in the U.S., they are still among the top killing dog breeds, and they still disproportionately kill infants. From 2005 to present, we've recorded approximately 760 dog bite fatalities. Huskies have been involved in 20 of these deaths, 2.6%. Of the husky victims, 65% (13 of 20) were infants ≤11 months old and 90% (18) were ages ≤5 years old. The two adult deaths involved a multi-breed attack, each involving at least one pit bull.

Of the 13 husky-inflicted infant deaths, 92% (12) have information about the victim's surroundings. 10 deaths, 83%, involved the infant lying in a bassinet, baby carrier, crib or inside a playpen at the time. 2 deaths, 17%, involved the baby "resting in a bedroom." At least 11 of the 13 husky-inflicted infant deaths, 85%, involved the infant sleeping at the time. Presumably, the infant was not crying or emitting any sounds. Further, one of the infant's parents is typically close by, such as in the next room.

Breed-Specific Traits

Over the 19-year period of 2005-2023, infant killings (≤11 months old) among the other top-killing dog breeds -- pit bulls, rottweilers, mixed-breeds, German shepherds, mastiff/bullmastiff, and American bulldogs -- ranges from 2% to 21% of their victims. The husky percentage of infant killings, 65%, is quite high in comparison. Only 8% of pit bull victims are infants; only 14% of rottweiler victims are infants. Most of the 13 husky-inflicted infant deaths, 85% (11), are neonates too (≤1 month old).

An 8-year old female husky killed a newborn baby boy as he slept inside his crib.

Posted on May 22, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Boy Killed by Dog Pack in Eagle Butte on the Cheyenne River Reservation

A 9-year old boy was killed by a dog pack on the Cheyenne River Reservation.

News Release from Tribe
Eagle Butte, SD - On Sunday, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe issued a statement about a boy found dead on the reservation Saturday near his bike with injuries that may have contributed to his death. His death is being investigated by the Cheyenne River Tribal Police. "Officials have yet to determine the exact cause" of death. "There is a possibility it may have been the result of a feral canine attack, but the results will not be determined until the autopsy is conducted," states the news release.

In order to reduce the feral dog population in the Eagle Butte area, animal control officers began patrolling the region, picking up roaming dogs. If the dog is wearing a collar, it will be held for 72 hours at the Wakpa Waste Animal Shelter, states the release. Ordinances require dogs to be tied up, leashed, or fenced. The shelter's Facebook page indicates that a rescue group transports unwanted/stray dogs off the reservation. A reservation-wide "Gathering of the Dogs" event occurs once or twice a year.

Relatives. it is with a heavy heart I relay this message to the Oyate. Yesterday, on abnormally tragic incident occurred here in Eagle Butte that is still being investigated by the Cheyenne River Tribal Police. A deceased child was found near a bike with injuries that may have contributed to his death, but officials have yet to determine the exact cause. The family has been notified, and we send them our love, prayers, and condolences during this difficult time.

There is a possibility it may have been the result of a feral canine attack, but the results will not be determined until the autopsy is conducted. To ensure the safety of the community, today, Animal Control and other support programs will be patrolling and picking up animals not tied up, leashed, or in a fence as stated in the ordinance. If it has a collar, the animal will be held for 72 hours at Wakpa Waste Animal Shelter for its owner to claim, register, and pay the associated fines as stated in the law. - Ryman LeBeau, The Office of Chairman Le Beau

Dog Attack Death Confirmed

The West River Eagle identified the child as 9-year old Lester Peneaux. His mother died in 2021. Lester is part of the Iron Lighting family, under the guardianship of Dale Iron Lighting. On Tuesday, "Iron Lighting confirmed the results of an autopsy and investigation by the FBI concluded there was no foul play, and the death was the result of an attack by a pack of dogs." Concern about the number of loose dogs has grown over the last few years. Unofficial estimates go as high as 1,000 loose dogs.

The article confirms there were two "Gathering of the Dogs" events in 2022. The May event rounded up 41 dogs in Eagle Butte. Dogs not retrieved by their owners in 48 hours, were transported off the reservation to rescue organizations in conjunction with the Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAV) and the HSUS. Details about the animal shelter include that it was built in 2016, has room for 6-14 dogs and facilities for a veterinary office and surgery, but there is no full-time veterinarian in Eagle Butte.

The River Eagle also published relevant parts of the tribe's animal control ordinance. An interesting section pertains to liability when two or more dogs are acting together. "Section 12-1-7 states that owners are liable for the actions of two or more dogs acting together. 'Where any injury has been caused by two or more dogs acting together and such dogs are owned or kept by different persons, all such persons may be joined or kept by defendants in the same action to recover damages.'"

The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe animal control code also has a provision for pit bulls. Section 12-1-8 Dangerous Animals states that pit bulls must always wear an adequate harness, owners must post a notice that a dangerous animal is kept on the premises, the dog must be microchipped, and confined in a secure enclosure. The owner must obtain $50,000 in liability insurance, and the dog must be registered with an annual payment of $100, along with providing two color photographs of the dog.

On Wednesday, KELO reported that tribal animal control officers collected 30 dogs during the first 24 hours of patrolling for loose dogs. Officials did not say if any of the dogs collected were involved in the fatal attack. Also on Wednesday, USA Today reported that Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe police Chief Charles L. Red Crow said that four dogs were involved. "We discovered that there were four dogs that attacked and killed him," Crow said. Tribal police have categorized the involved dogs as "feral."

South Dakota Reservations

From 2014 to 2015, there were two dog bite fatalities on the southern South Dakota reservations. Jayla Rodriguez, 8-years old, was killed by one or more loose dogs on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in November 2014. Four months later, Julia Charging Whirlwind, 49-years old, was killed by one or more loose dogs on the Rose Bud Indian Reservation. The Cheyenne River Indian Reservation is one of three northern South Dakota reservations. The population in the Eagle Butte area is approximately 1,239.

Cheyenne River reservation killed by dog pack

State map showing the Cheyenne River Reservation where a boy was killed by a dog pack.

Lester Peneaux, 9-years old, was killed by a dog pack on the Cheyenne River Reservation.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Fatal Dog Attacks on American Indian Reservations.

Learn about breed-specific laws on Indian reservations in our Breed Safety Laws section.

Posted on May 20, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Man, 40, Killed by Family Pit Bull-Mix in Farmington Hills, Michigan

A 40-year old man was killed by a family pit bull-mix on Saturday in Farmington Hills.

Man Killed by Family Dog
Farmington Hills, MI - A 40-year old man is dead after being mauled by a family dog. Farmington Hills police officers responded to a home in the 22000 block of Elmgrove Street at about 8:00 pm Saturday for a report of a dog attack. A family member, who had not heard from the victim all day, went to his home to check on him, and found him unresponsive on the ground in the backyard. The dog was pulling on his body. He separated and contained the dog in the house prior to calling 911.

The victim was transported to Corewell Hospital Farmington Hills, where he was pronounced dead. No other people were inside the home. The dog, a pit bull-mix, was taken into custody by Oakland County Animal Control. The Oakland County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death as "K-9 mauling." The manner of death was an accident. The victim's name was not released. Police are speaking to family members to determine if the dog had a history of aggression.

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the Farmington Hills Police Department responded to a residence in the 22000 block of Elmgrove St. on a report of an injured man who had been attacked by a family dog.

A family member of the resident called 911 to report that he went to his relative’s home after not hearing from him all day, and upon arrival, the family member found the man unconscious, laying on the ground in the backyard of the home with the dog pulling at his body. The family member advised that he had separated and contained the dog in the house prior to calling 911. There were no other people in the house.

When officers arrived on scene, they found a 40-year-old man unconscious with significant wounds consistent with animal bites. Farmington Hills Fire Department firefighter/paramedics arrived on scene, provided aid, and transported the victim to Corewell Hospital Farmington Hills, where he ultimately succumbed to his wounds.

The Oakland County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy, which ruled the manner of death as accidental and the cause of death as K-9 mauling. The dog, which has been turned over to the Oakland County Animal Control, is believed to be a Pitbull mix.

Investigators are working with family members to determine if the dog had any previous history of aggression or could have been labeled as “dangerous or potentially dangerous” by Farmington Hills City Ordinance. - Farmington Hills Police Department, May 20, 2024

This is the second violent pit bull attack in Oakland County in less than a week. On May 15, a 1-year old girl and her grandparent were attacked by two family pit bulls at a home near Nissen Court and West Maple Road. The dogs belonged to the baby's grandparents. The child sustained severe lacerations to her face, forehead, lower back, and leg. The child was transported to Ascension Providence Hospital then transferred to Mott Children’s Hospital, where she was last listed in critical condition.

A 40-year man who lives at the home on Elmgrove Street owns a male pit bull-mix.

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

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