Posted on November 5, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: Baltimore Woman, 56, Killed by Her Pet Pit Bull

Terry Douglass and Boosie, the 4-year old male pit bull that killed her.

Policy Problems
UPDATE 11/04/13: On Monday, CBS Baltimore aired a headine segment asking questions about why a pit bull with a history of two attacks was returned to its wheelchair-bound owner. The animal's third attack killed its owner. Reporter Rochelle Ritchie states in the onset of the segment, "Advocates say it should not have happened. In fact, the woman had a huge gash on her face from when the dog had attacked before." Victims' advocate Tony Solesky is featured in the piece.

Tony Solesky is the father of a young pit bull mauling victim at the center of Tracey v. Solesky, an appellate court decision that declared pit bulls "inherently dangerous" in the State of Maryland. The high court decision attached strict liability when the breed attacks; this liability extends to landlords when a tenant's pit bull attacks. The Court issued the ruling in April 2012. The decision has been the subject of much controversy across Maryland and the Northeast ever since.

Ritchie summarizes in the segment, "Why the dog was returned to Douglass after it attacked remains a huge question that is unanswered. We tried to speak with health officials here at the health department. They would not go on camera." Solesky adds, "This is a problem of policy, and it's a problem they're aware of. The only time it gets addressed is when we have these horrific incidents." Solesky will continue to push Baltimore City Health Department officials to learn more.

View Related video

11/03/13: Health Department on Defense
The Baltimore Sun released an update on Sunday showing the failure and bias of the Baltimore City Health Department, which oversees animal control. The article states that animal control officers seized Boosie in April of this year after a biting incident involving two people, but returned the animal because they "did not feel the dog was a threat to the public." The department denied responsibility further by stating that Douglass was "adamant in getting the dog back" afterward.

No mention was made by the Baltimore City Health Department about the first attack, which left wheelchair-bound Douglass with a disfigured face 2-years ago. No mention was made about the landmark Maryland Court of Appeals ruling in 2012 that declared pit bulls "inherently dangerous" in Maryland either. Yet, plenty of mention was made about the pro-pit bull bias of the health department, instead of their central mission, which is to protect the health and welfare of people.

[Health department] officials said they do not have special rules for pit bulls, noting that any breed has potential to bite.

"Baltimore City Animal Control supports responsible pet ownership and not laws that single out a specific breed," a statement read. "According to the [U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], nearly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year. Dog attacks often result from multiple factors; it is not necessarily the breeds themselves that are dangerous."

Predictably, both the Baltimore City Health Department and Jennifer Brause, the executive director of BARCS, obfuscated this horrific life-taking attack of which there are only about 32 fatalities per year, by citing irrelevant CDC "dog bite" data that does not address dog bite injury severity and "any animal can bite" propaganda, which also does not address dog bite injury severity, and finally, Brause states, "We don't want people to look at [pit bulls] and say they bite." (Heaven forbid!)1

Article Updated 7:11 pm (EST)

Minutes after posting the above portion, "Health Department on Defense," The Sun article updated with new and noteworthy information. According to the victim's daughter, Tamathia Davis, "To get her mother to give up the dog, Davis said she wouldn't let her 1-year-old son visit from their home in Pennsylvania. She also said she asked the landlord to ban the dog," states the piece. Davis admits in the update that she too owns and loves a pet pit bull that she raised from a puppy.

The victim's nephew, Torian Wellsey, is included in the Sunday evening update as well. Wellsey was attacked by the dog along with Douglass in April (not her son as stated in previous news reports). Wellsey told The Sun, "The dog was a vicious dog. She thought she could control it and she couldn't." Wellsey said his aunt tried to stand from her wheelchair to reach for a glass of water, but fell onto the ground when her pet pit bull attacked. "He ripped her apart," Wellsey said.

The update also shows how BARCS and city animal control are distinguishing themselves. "Boosie was housed at BARCS' facilities during the quarantine period, but the city's animal control department made the decision to return the dog," states the piece. New readers may be confused about this kind of intertwining co-dependent relationship. One entity "confiscates" dogs and the other "cares for, temperament tests and adopts" them out; the former is like a tow truck service.

Apparently, it was the tow truck service2 that sent the two-time attacker back to its crippled owner.

11/03/13: Attacked Victim Twice Before
Late Saturday night, The Baltimore Sun published a disturbing update to the nation's most recent fatal pit bull attack. Terry Douglass, 56, died after "Boosie," her 4-year old male pit bull she had raised since a puppy, attacked her for a third time. Her daughter, Tamathia Davis, said the dog had attacked her wheelchair-bound mother twice before. The attacks began about 2-years ago, around the same time Douglass began using the wheelchair due to suffering from cerebral palsy.

"She loved that dog unconditionally," said Davis.

Davis describes the first attack as occurring about 2-years ago. The animal bit Douglass in the face so horribly that "whenever my mom would open her mouth, her cheek would open with it," Davis said. The second attack occurred last year when Boosie bit Douglass and one of her sons. A city shelter placed the dog in quarantine after the last attack Davis said, but allowed the dog to be returned home to Douglass even though Davis and other relatives pleaded with them not to.

Why Was No Pause Given?

The city shelter (BARCS presumably) placed a two-time attacker back into the home of a wheelchair-bound owner who had no means to control this animal and had already suffered two previous attacks by the dog.
The city shelter (BARCS presumably) placed a two-time attacker back into
the home of a wheelchair-bound owner who had no means to control this
animal and had a disfigured face due to one of these previous attacks.
The city shelter (BARCS presumably) placed a two-time attacker back into the home of a wheelchair-bound owner who had no means to control this animal and resided in a high-density neighborhood; the third attack could have victimized any visiting or neighborhood child.
The city shelter (BARCS presumably) placed a two-time attacker back into the home of a wheelchair-bound owner who had no means to control this animal and whose family members had pleaded with them not to.
Finally, the city shelter (BARCS presumably) did all of this despite being "painfully" aware of the 2012 high court ruling that declared pit bulls "inherently dangerous" in the State of Maryland from a liability perspective.

Pause certainly should have been given by the city shelter due these overwhelming issues.

Recent Pit Bull Owner Deaths

Terry Douglass now joins a growing number of pit bull owners who suffered a violent death by the jaws of their own dogs. Some of these victims include; Clifford Wright, 74-years old, of Santa Fe, New Mexico; Rebecca Cary, 23-years old of Decatur, Georgia; Deborah Roberts, 45-years old, of Jefferson County, Arkansas; Mary Jo Hunt, 53-years old, of Pembroke, North Carolina; Michael Cook, 61-years old of Tucson, Arizona and Darla Napora, 38-years old of Pacifica, California.

11/02/13: Woman Killed by Pet Pit Bull
Baltimore, MD - In a developing story, a 56-year old woman died Friday after being attacked by her pet pit bull. Police officers responded to a call of a "dog bite" to a home in the 2000 block of East 30th Street about 12:45 am,3 according to police spokesperson Detective Jeremy Silbert. Officers discovered the injured woman in the Coldstream Homestead Montebello neighborhood home. She was taken to the hospital where she died. We anticipate more information shortly.4

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

1The earlier Sunday article is time stamped at 4:41 pm EST.
2We don't believe the tow truck service made this decision independently of BARCS. Further, clearly it is BARCS that is steering the city's public policy on the "pit bull" issue.
3This attack only first came to light nearly 24-hours later. The time stamp on The Sun article is 11:16 pm Friday.
4As of 11:30 pm Saturday (EST), there has been no new information, 46-hours after first responders arrived. Given the endless press about the Solesky ruling -- much of it in defense of pit bulls -- it is reasonable to question why the City of Baltimore and local media are responding to this woman's death in this "tight lipped" way. The last Maryland dog bite fatality occurred in May 2006. Raymond Tomco, 78, was mauled to death by his daughter's pit bulls.

Photo: Baltimore Sun

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

Dog Bite Victim Advocates Speak At High Risk Dog Ordinance Hearing in Watertown

August 20, 2013 Hearing
Watertown, WI - Back in August, dog bite victim activists geared up for the first reading of the proposed High Risk Dog ordinance. The Watertown Safety and Welfare Committee had been working on the ordinance since February and a considerable amount of public input had already been given. In mid August, the revised ordinance was introduced to city council and contained two tracks 1.) High Risk Dogs (pit bulls) and 2.) Vicious Dogs (pertaining to all dog breeds).

The High Risk Dog portion included an anti-tethering restriction for pit bulls and their mixes, confinement restrictions, mandatory warning signage on the dog owner's property, mandatory sterilization, mandatory registration and a liability insurance policy of $100,000. The breed-specific portion also banned pit bulls and dogs declared "vicious" from visiting or living in a multiple living unit dwelling or building (a triplex or larger, affecting all high density renting environments).

See: Proposed Watertown Dog Ordinance

DogsBite.org edited the August 20 Watertown public hearing video to show a variety of supporters of the proposed ordinance so that readers can see what happens during public comments period of a city council meeting. Many readers will recognize two speakers, Jeff Borchardt, whose son was killed by two pit bulls in March while under the care of his babysitter, and Susan Iwicki, the babysitter and owner of the two pit bulls. A lifelong friend and supporter of Jeff also spoke.

If you want to be a part of something that helps saves somebody, helps save a life, a face, a limb? Start with this bill. - Phil Hughes

Speakers were limited to 3-minutes, a standard time period in public comments. Watertown Mayor John David presided over the hearing and on several occasions reprimanded insolent pit bull advocates in attendance. Those in opposition to the pit bull portion of the ordinance were cut from this 16-minute video segment because our goal was to show the powerful voices in support of adopting a preventative ordinance that would literally help "save a life, a face or a limb."

On August 20, the proposed ordinance narrowly passed. The amendment to remove the "breed-specific language" -- the High Risk Dog portion -- was defeated in a 5 to 4 vote. On September 3, during the second and final reading of the bill, the High Risk Dog portion was stripped. The amendment to remove the breed-specific portion succeeded 6 to 3. Aldermen Robert Stocks and Augie Tietz flipped, bowing to local and out of jurisdiction pit bull advocates and animal groups.1

Upon learning of the September 3 vote, which we only learned just after midnight that night, Jeff Borchardt was deeply saddened. He also appeared at the second reading and spoke, which he described as lengthily and highly contentious. As he previously stated during the August 20 hearing, Jeff reiterated, "If this ordinance would have been in place on March 6, my son would still be alive today." He added in an email to us, "God help them if something happens in that town."

Conclusion

All of the speakers in support of the High Risk Dog ordinance were courageous with compelling arguments. Their viewpoints were vastly more powerful than those voiced by pit bull advocates, who told typical anecdotal stories ("But my pit bull is good!") and pushed propaganda points ("It is impossible identify a pit bull!"). The key to the defeat of the High Risk Dog portion lies in the weak-kneed aldermen who conceded to pressures of local and out of state animal groups.

The upshot is that all of the contention focused on the first track of the proposed ordinance, High Risk Dogs, and ignored the second track, Vicious Dogs, which did pass and is a sizeable improvement over the previous Watertown dog ordinance. We suspect that a number of careless pit bull owners will get nailed under the new definition of a Vicious Dog, which includes "attempt to attack … or otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or other domesticated animals."

See: Finalized Watertown Dog Ordinance

Portions of Video Transcript

Watertown resident

Most of you know I drive a school bus ...

I had my hand on the handle, I saw the dad carry the little boy out to the bus, pit bull like a frozen rope2 headed for the door of the bus. I just barely got the door closed; dog hit that door three or four times, before the dad was able to restrain it ...

This was a Head Start bus. These are 3 and 4-year old kids on that bus who are restrained in 4 point harnesses.

I gotta believe that dog would have gotten through me if it had gotten on the bus. I can't imagine the mayhem that could have been committed.

The headline would not have said, "Irresponsible dog owner let's dog torment bus riders." It would have said, "Children and bus driver maimed when driver does not get door closed."

Watertown resident

Even pit bull breeders themselves recommend that a responsible pit bull owner carry a "break stick" -- I'm going, "What is a break stick?"

I'm reading a break stick is something you should carry if your dog does bite something, you need to pry it in to open their mouths to get them to release.

That made me really think, there is something inherently wrong with that.

Jeff Borchardt

My son, 14-months old, was killed by two pit bulls on March 6, 2013.

His attack lasted for 15-minutes. They attacked the babysitter who was watching him at that time … she did everything she could to save my son's life…

I'm in support of this bill. I have read it in its entirety. If this bill would have been in place in Williams Bay at the time, my son would still be with us today.
I have had nothing but time to do the research on this. I don't have a son to take care of any more. He was our only son...

Phil Hughes

We're talking about lives here. We're talking about human beings.

If you want to be a part of something that helps saves somebody, to help save a life, a face, a limb? Start with this bill...

If you want to stand in office and say, "I passed something that saved a life," that saved a child from having to live a life of being maimed and disfigured … If you want to be part of something that saves a child's life...

Susan Iwiki

I was Dax's babysitter on March 6th of 2013. When my own pit bulls attacked me while I was holding Dax in my arms. They attacked me first, viciously holding onto my arm, and the other one went at my leg, making it impossible for me to keep Dax in my arms.

We were outside at this time and I had to quickly put my entire body over Dax ... I will never forget every second of that day.

I am here to stand up and say: I was a responsible pit bull owner...

1During the August 20 hearing, Sean Van Derel, a board member of the Watertown Humane Society, threatens city council members saying that if the city passes the proposed ordinance, "our service contract with the city is going to go up" (scare tactic). He also played the DNA "scare" card, claiming that DNA tests would be required because humane professionals are unable to identify pit bulls, despite the fact that on any given day in the United States at least dozens (if not hundreds) of humane groups operate "pit bull specific" programs, for example, the Michigan Humane Society (No DNA test required!):

"However, their pet must meet the program’s breed criteria. Dogs covered under this program must be a Pit Bull-type dog, which include the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Cane Corso and Presa Canario. If visual verification cannot be made by the individual issuing the certificate, the final decision of breed approval will be determined by the MHS veterinarian or veterinary technician at the time of the sterilization appointment."

Van Derel also flat out lies when claiming that the city would be responsible for the costs of these "supposed" DNA tests. No city should ever entrust public policy decisions concerning the health and safety of human beings to people like Van Derel or animal groups like the Watertown Humane Society.
2"Like a frozen rope" is a very telling description as it represents a "B line" attack, the most dangerous of all attacks (See a video of this type of attack). There is no question of the dog's intention, which is to inflict maximum harm.

Posted on September 27, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: 5-Year Old Boy Killed by Pit Bull in Baker County, Oregon

A memorial held for Jordan Ryan near his kindergarten building.

No Criminal Charges
UPDATE 10/17/13: It was reported today in the Baker City Herald that a Baker County grand jury declined to indict Mary Lane, the owner of the pit bull that brutally mauled to death 5-year old Jordan Ryan on September 27. District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff announced the grand jury's decision Thursday morning. According to a press release from Shirtcliff's office, the grand jury "reviewed the case and has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support criminal charges."

Baker City Police investigated the background of the pit bull, which Lane had owned for about a month and a half before the deadly attack. Police did not find any evidence the dog had acted aggressively "toward people."1 Lane acquired the dog from an unnamed John Day resident, previous news reports called the animal a "rescue pit." Neither the previous owner nor other John Day residents who had been around the dog, had seen it act aggressively, according to police.

"Our community has responded well and hopefully this tragedy will continue to raise awareness about the need to be vigilant about safety related to dogs with aggressive genetic tendencies." - Matt Shirtcliff

No mention was made in the article if Lane's household had one or two pit bulls (or more). Back when we posted the 10/08/13 update -- to shake the tree and see if any nuts fall out -- there was another photo of Bentley from July 29 playing tug-of-war with another large dog. This photo has since been removed from the Pitbulls of Oregon Facebook group, possibly because it is not too glamorizing. At this time, we do not know if Bentley or "Taz" is the culprit in the deadly attack.

On Friday, DogsBite.org will submit questions to the district attorney's office to clarify this issue.

10/11/13: Mother Speaks Out
On Thursday, Michelle Ryan, the mother of Jordan Ryan, spoke to KTVB. She said she brought her three children over to a friend's house that morning who volunteered to watch them while she was at work. While the two moms were chatting in the kitchen, one of her children ran in and alerted them to the attack. Ryan said someone screamed for her to call 911. While on the phone with the 911 operator, she rushed to the back door and saw her 5-year old son badly injured.

Paramedics lost Jordan Ryan's heartbeat on the way to the hospital.

Michelle Ryan said she has taken her children over to the woman's house before and never had a problem, however, she said she did not know her friend had "recently adopted a new pit bull." Ryan said the "worst case scenario did come true." She said she does not know how she will "pick up the pieces and put on a face to where people can think that I'm okay even though I'm dying inside." Ryan told KTVB the case is still under investigation and she has not heard from police.

On Friday, the Baker City Herald published an editorial piece (City action on pit bulls is necessary), as well as an update regarding possible criminal charges. District Attorney Matt Chirtcliff said he expects to decide next week whether to file criminal charges in connection to the death of Jordan Ryan. The Record-Courier published an article about the most recent Baker County Council meeting that formed a committee to research the "pit bull" and dangerous dog issue further.

10/09/13: A Second Pit Bull?
Commenter Sylvanna Martin of Baker City2 left several messages at DogsBite tonight providing information that may or may not be true, we have no way to verify. Given the disturbing "hush hush" about the violent pit bull mauling death of Jordan Ryan by police authorities and parents of children at Ryan's school, -- Where is the outrage? -- we dove into Facebook and undertook the detective work we could. Our main objective: Shake the tree and see if any nuts fall out.

Sylvanna Martin proved to be an interesting nut.

Martin claims that Bentley the pit bull (posted in photos below) is not the attacking pit bull. She wrote in part, "The pit you have pictured is one the family has had since a puppy and would easily pass a Canine Good Citizen test! He is well mannered and socialized, the exact opposite of the culprit. The pit responsible for this terrible incident and put down, was named Taz..." It gets better too; Martin apparently does not understand the concept of "moderated comments" on a blog.

In Martin's first attempt to leave a comment, she reveals more: "The pit that was put down and responsible for this accident was named Taz and was a black and white pit bull!!! She didn't even have him long enough to get pictures of him!" If this is true, Martin doesn't realize that this is exactly the nut we hoped would fall out of the tree: Information directly damning the pit bull rescue group that placed Taz out. "She didn't even have him long enough to get pictures of him!"

Martin successfully upped the ante against the still unnamed pit bull rescue group and did not do the owner or keeper of the pit bull, Mary Lane, any favors either. The following statement implies that people knew Taz was dangerous and certainly should not have ever been in the vicinity of children -- there were possibly up to 8 children3 at Lane's home that Friday morning: "He is well mannered and socialized, the exact opposite of the culprit." Thanks for the share Martin!

The father of Daxton Borchardt is following this attack on his new Tumblr blog, Father of Dax.

10/09/13: Culprit is a "Rescue" Pit
KTVB.com reported a follow up story on Tuesday and interviewed Autumn Brooks, a friend of Jordan Ryan's family and the owner of the pit bull, Mary Lane. Brooks said the pit bull involved in the attack was from a rescue program, but did not name the program. To reiterate, approximately a 10-month old pit bull placed into a home with five children killed a young boy visiting the home on September 27. Police authorities still have not released many details about the deadly attack.

A memorial service was held for Jordan Ryan on Tuesday in Baker City. Friends and family set up a GoFundMe page to help the boy's family pay for funeral costs. Penny Pankey states in the About area: "Jordan left his family and friends in a very cruel, horrifying attack on this Friday morning as he was playing in the babysitter’s yard with his 2 siblings. A 'Rescue' Pit Bull mauled him to death." Pankey added that the funeral costs are $3,600 and must be paid in 30-days.

Jordan left his family and friends in a very cruel, horrifying attack on this Friday morning as he was playing in the babysitter’s yard with his 2 siblings. A “Rescue” Pit Bull mauled him to death. His mother and siblings, along with the babysitter and others, hearing their screams ran to the yard, to witness Jordan near death. He died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Jordan’s family had just moved from Montana to Baker City Oregon to be close to family again.... Michelle, Jordan’s mother had started her old job back at the hospital. This event has caused an extreme financial hardship on this family ... Read full post

10/08/13: Suspected Killer Pit Bull
According to Mary Lane, the owner of the dog that killed a 5-year old boy last Friday, her pit bull named Bentley is under 1-year of age. In photos posted from September of this year, Bentley was only 9-months old. Lane posted the photos to the open Facebook group Pitbulls of Oregon. Her male pit bull is unleashed in what appears to be a public park or lake area playing with some of Lane's five children. "Love this boy!" and "My Bentley!" Lane exudes about her beloved pit bull.

This seemingly family-loving young pit bull brutally mauled to death an innocent boy staying at Mary Lane's home about 2-weeks later. How does Lane feel now? Why has only one media outlet even reported her name? There's more to Lane of course, her two favorite TV shows, according to her Facebook page are: Pit Bulls and Parolees and Pit Boss. Various page "Likes" include: Loyal Pit Bull Fans, Pitbull Lovers, I Love Pit Bulls, Pit Bulls and Itty Pitties -- readers get the picture.

Clearly, Lane believed the appalling disinformation about this dog breed and now a child is dead.

10/05/13: Owner of Pit Bull Named
The Record-Courier, a weekly in the county, reported on Saturday that Jordan Ryan was mauled to death by a pit bull at the home of Mary Lane of 1947 14th Street in Baker City. Grief-counseling services for teachers and students were provided by the Baker City School District in the days following the boy's death. The school district also sent a letter to parents with condolences to the Ryan family and all of those affected by his death and explained their crisis response actions.

On Friday, the Baker City Herald published two editorials by area residents, each demanding that the community ban pit bulls. Steve Culley was alarmed that, "There doesn’t seem to be an overwhelming outrage over the pit bull death of a young boy." Raymond Reinks points out the inexcusable "comments in defense of the breed" after the death of a child and "no expression of remorse," both extreme breed advocacy traits explained in Essay of a Fatal Pit Bull Mauling.

09/30/13: Residents Mourn Victim
On Sunday night, about 150 residents gathered in Baker City to remember 5-year old Jordan Ryan who was struck down by a pit bull on Friday, September 27. The group released a bundle of bright balloons into the darkening sky. Children were heard echoing, "Bye Jordan," as they floated upward. After they disappeared into the night, someone began singing Amazing Grace and everyone else joined in. The gathering was held outside of the kindergarten that Jordan attended.

“We have the memories,” said Hank King, Jordan’s great-grandfather.

King led the group in prayer and comforted the boy’s grieving father, Nathan Craig, his own grandson. Jordan’s mother, Michelle Ryan, also attended the memorial. It was a cold, wet night. A small tent was set up to allow close relatives a place to grieve, sheltered from the rain, and to keep a table with the boy's photo surrounded by candles dry. Next the to tent was a red fence that served as a memory wall, where people hung flowers, stuffed animals, balloons and ribbons.

Boy "Suffered Extensive Injuries"

In a statement released today, District Attorney Matt Shirtcliff said the boy "suffered extensive injuries, which caused him to bleed to death" after being attacked by a pit bull on Friday in the 1900 block of 14th street. "As a result of the incident the dog will be euthanized," states the release. After the police investigation is complete, "I will review the case for potential criminal charges, or determine whether the case needs to be presented to the grand jury,” stated Shirtcliff.

09/28/13: Mauling Victim Identified
Baker City police have released the name of a young boy mauled to death by a pit bull in Baker City on Friday. Jordan Michael Ryan, 5, of Baker City was at a friend’s residence between 9 am and 10 am when the fatal pit bull attack occurred, Police Chief Wyn Lohner said Saturday. Lohner said he anticipates more information to be available about the fatal dog mauling on Monday. A memorial will be held Sunday night for Jordan in front of the kindergarten he attended.

09/28/13: Child was Being Babysat
New information has been reported about the most recent pit bull fatality in Baker City. School Superintendent Walt Wegener confirmed that a dog attack took the kindergartner's life on Friday. "He was dropped off for babysitting and ended up being taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead in the middle of the morning," Wegener said. The school district has a four-days a week schedule for students, which is why the child was with a babysitter on Friday.

Though Baker City police haven't released many details about the fatal attack, they did say the attack occurred at a home in the city (not the child's) and a pit bull was involved. The sheriff's office also told KTVB that the dog was impounded after the attack. Wegener believes police will release more information to the media "whenever police are ready." Wegener said that school staff members have been notified and counselors will be ready at the schools on Monday.

2013 Fatal Dog Attack Scenarios

Last year was the first year that we began tracking the combined category of dog bite fatality victims that were visiting or living temporarily with the dog's owner when the fatal attack occurred.4 In 2012, 32% of all fatality victims fell within this scenario. Children 8-years and younger made up 75% of these deaths. So far in 2013, 43% of all fatality victims fall within this scenario. Children 8-years and younger make up 80% of these deaths; pit bulls inflicted 90% of these deaths.5

09/27/13: Boy, 5, Killed by a Pit Bull
Baker, OR - The Baker City Herald reported tonight that a 5-year old boy died after being attacked by a pit bull this morning, according to District Attorney Matt Shirtclift. "The dog is in custody and is no further threat at this time," said Police Chief Wyn Lohner. The attack did not occur at the child's home, according to the article. The investigation into the most recent U.S. fatal pit bull mauling is continuing. The names of the deceased child and the dog's owner have not been released.

2013 Fatal Dog Attack Statistics

September 27, 2013 marks the third U.S. pit bull fatality in the last five days. On September 22, a 2-year old boy was killed by his babysitter's pit bulls in Gilbert, Arizona. The following day, 2-year old Samuel Zamudio was killed by a group of pit bulls owned by his grandmother while being babysat at her home in Colton, California. Of the 23 fatal dog attacks so far this year, pit bulls and their mixes are responsible for 83%, a sharp increase from the combined 8-year total of 60%.

1"Toward people" is not quoted in the Baker City Herald article, thus we do not believe it was part of the actual news release. Rather it was the writer's translation. DogsBite.org will request a copy of the district attorney's news release on Friday.
2It appears Sylvanna Martin is a boxer breeder (LJK boxers) in Baker City and a Facebook friend of Mary Lane.
3The owner of the dog, Mary Lane has five children. The GoFundMe memorial campaign stated that Jordan and his two siblings were "playing" at her residence at the time of the fatal attack.
4Prior to this, two categories were tracked: 1.) attacks involving a "watcher," such as a grandparent or babysitter watching the child and 2.) attacks occurring within two months of the person or dog being new to the household.
5We continue to track both scenarios. So far in 2013, 27% of all fatality victims involved a "watcher" scenario, primarily by babysitters, all victims were children 8-years and younger.

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

Photo: kboi2.com and Baker City Herald

Posted on September 26, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: 2-Year Old Boy Killed by Relative’s Pit Bulls in Colton

Uncle Pleads Not Guilty
UPDATE 09/25/13: The uncle of a 2-year old boy mauled to death by up to five pit bulls pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a charge of child endangerment. Marco Antonio Zamudio, 23, was charged with one felony count of willful cruelty of a child resulting in the death of Samuel Zamudio. Prosecutors declined to file charges against the boy's grandmother, Eustulia Zamudio, 42, because of insufficient evidence, according to the San Bernardino County district attorney's office.

Samuel's ravaged body was found Monday evening in the backyard of his grandmother's home. The boy was rushed to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The Press-Enterprise blog reports that prosecutors did not charge Eustulia because it appeared she was at work at the time of the attack, according to district attorney’s spokesman Christopher Lee. Marco Zamudio was also charged with a parole violation for a 2009 Orange County robbery.

09/24/13: Updates and Clarifications
The Los Angeles Times reports that the grandmother and uncle of 2-year old Samuel Zamudio could eventually be charged with murder. On Tuesday, both were arrested on suspicion of child endangerment resulting in death after Samuel was mauled to death by up to five pit bull-mix dogs in the backyard of his grandmother's home. His uncle, Marco Zamudio, was responsible for taking care of Samuel at the time. His grandmother owns the home and the attacking pit bulls.1

The woman who spoke anonymously in earlier news reports is Erica Vega, who was the future godmother of Samuel and also lives at his grandmother's home. Relatives and neighbors continue to speculate that the boy crawled out of his window or the dogs snatched him from his window. Colton police officials have not verified either scenario. Vega said that family members searched for the boy for about 20 to 30 minutes before finding him severely injured in the backyard.

San Bernardino city animal control officers seized five adult pit bull-mix dogs on Monday and three puppies. According to Vega, there were at least 10 dogs at the home. KTLA.com reported that all five suspected culprits were euthanized on Tuesday and are slated to undergo a necropsy, according to Colton police Detective Raymond Mendez. Eusulia Zamudio2 and Marco Zamudio3 are being held on $100,000 bail. Their arraignment hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

09/24/13: Relatives Arrested in Boy's Death
Colton, CA – Police reported Monday night that a 2-year old boy was killed by up to five pit bull-mixes in Colton. The attack occurred about 5:30 pm at a home in the 700 block of West Citrus Street. The boy was "suffering from extensive wounds to the upper body," according to a police statement released Monday night. He was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6:07 pm, according to San Bernardino County Coroner’s officials.

A woman who rents a room from the boy’s grandmother told abc7.com, “It was ugly. His face was all eaten up. He was eaten from the face. He had no clothes.” She said the boy’s grandmother and uncle were babysitting the boy, along with his older brother and her two children. A neighbor said he believes the boy “jumped out of the window, I’m guessing to play with the dogs.” The woman said she was horrified when she saw the boy lying in the backyard after being attacked.

On Tuesday, police arrested two relatives of 2-year old Samuel Eli Zamudio. Eusulia Zamudio, 42, and Marco Zamudio, 23, the grandmother and uncle of the boy, were booked into West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of assault resulting in the death of a child younger than 8-years old. “It’s what we typically use when we have horrific child abuse cases,” Colton police Detective Ray Mendez said. The dogs are being quarantined at the San Bernardino city animal shelter.

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

1News reports initially stated that the uncle owned the dogs.
2Her name has also been spelled Eustulia and Eustolia.
3An NBC Los Angeles video reports that Marco has an extensive criminal past.

Photo: CBS Los Angeles

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