Posted on March 11, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: 7-Year Old 'Visiting' Galesburg Boy Killed by Pit Bull

Ryan Maxwell shown next to his school's remembrance sign.

New Details Emerge
UPDATE 03/10/13: The Register-Mail published two updates Sunday that help clarify family relationships and the events leading up to the fatal dog attack. Ryan was brutally killed by a pit bull while visiting the home of Susan Ferguson on Whiting Avenue on March 2. The Ferguson family had two pit bulls; police shot the dog, named Ghost, that attacked Ryan. Ashiya Ferguson, Susan's daughter, surrendered the other pit bull pledging, "I will never own another pit bull again."1

The two pit bulls belonged to Ashiya Ferguson and Jereme Carter. Last August, Carter was arrested and charged with the shooting death of Terrell Allen in Galesburg. After his arrest, Ashiya and the two dogs moved to her mother's home at 675 Whiting Avenue.2 Galesburg Animal Control responded to two complaints between December and February that the dogs were left neglected out in the cold. By the time officers arrived, the dogs had already been taken back inside.

Ashiya denies her pit bulls were neglected and that Ghost was dangerous.

Ryan's mother, Sarah Mead, has a 1-year old child with Jeffery Ferguson, Ashiya's brother. An earlier article described Jeffery as his mother's fiancée. It was Jeffery who invited Ryan to go to Skate Palace then spend the night with family members who live at the Whiting Avenue home. Ryan's 1-year old brother also spent the night. On Saturday afternoon, following the evening of skating, Ryan played with Ashiya's two youngest children, 7 and 8, in the backyard of the home.

Ghost was chained to the deck in the back of the home, but "somehow" managed to break free. The pit bull then launched a lethal assault on Ryan -- clamping onto his throat -- just outside the home's rear sliding glass door. Ashiya said that nothing could free the boy from the dog's jaws. They kicked the dog; hit it with shovels and the butt of a BB gun. "I couldn't believe it was Ghost," Ashiya said. "Oh God, it was so horrible. I couldn't stop it. I couldn't stop it. I couldn't stop it."

Keen observations of a dog breed selectively bred to perform exactly this way.

03/05/13: Mother Breaks Down
Painful details continue to emerge in the wake of Ryan Maxwell's horrific death. The Register-Mail reports events leading up to the fatal pit bull mauling. Ryan had been invited to go to Skate Palace then spend the night with friends who live on Whiting Avenue. It was Ryan's first and last time to ever roller skate. On Saturday, he was viciously attacked by a pit bull residing at the Whiting Avenue home. The animal still had the boy clenched in its jaws when police officers arrived.

Sarah Mead, the boy's mother, said the reality of her son's death had not set in. But she broke down when being interviewed. "I have to go to the funeral home at 1 p.m. today," Sarah said. She started to cry. "Not my baby. This isn’t fair. This isn’t right. Words can’t describe how I feel right now. I have never felt this much pain in my life." Sarah's mother, Tina Mead, said they were all at the hospital, when doctors couldn't revive Ryan. Sarah had to give them permission to stop.

After that, Ryan was in a room and Sarah and I went in there to lie with him. To be with him. Half of his face was gone. And all of his throat. They had a wash cloth over half his face and his throat covered up. This thing did that to him. This thing just took our heart. It just took our soul. - Tina Mead

Visitation is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel, with services at 11:30 a.m. Thursday.

View Related video3

03/04/13: Teacher Interviewed
In a solemn update, WQAD interviews Ryan's teacher at Nielson Elementary School. Ryan was in the second grade. The video images of his teacher talking, the school hallway lined with small coats and Ryan's desk, overflowing with cards and stuffed animals left by his classmates, come too soon after Sandy Hook. The school is providing grief counselors for the students, staff and parents to help them cope with the sudden loss of Ryan, horrifically struck down by a pit bull.

A memorial fund was established at Ryan Maxwell Memorial Fund, in care of F&M Bank, 21 East Main Street, Galesburg, Illinois 61401.

03/03/13: Dog Owner Blames Self
The owner of the pit bull that savagely killed 7-year old Ryan Maxwell told CBS4 news on Sunday that her family tried everything they could to get the dog off the boy, including using a shovel and a lighter. "My son pushed me out the way and just ran up there and start beating the dog and I could just see the dog had this baby," said Ashiya Ferguson. She said her family has had the dog for a year and a half, but yesterday, amazingly, they saw a "completely different side" of the animal.

To repeat once again, what we have written so many times on this website:

The behavioral characteristic of pit bulls to grab ahold of things and shake it until its dead occurs when the dog enters into sexual maturity, about 1.5 to 2 years old. This is not debatable.4

The family will never forget the screaming and brutality of the scene, of having to witness their own dog relentlessly maul a child, reports CBS4. "I feel guilty I blame myself. I'm sorry and I feel so bad," said Ferguson. The owner said she takes responsibility for what happened and prays it will never happen to anyone else. Her words, however, arrive too late -- the boy is dead. Likewise, as a pit bull owner, Ferguson was perfectly aware of the breed's horrific reputation for killing.

Q: How many times did Ashiya Ferguson recite pit bull myths in the last 1.5 years?

03/03/13: Dog Kills Visiting Child
Galesburg, IL - In a developing story, a 7-year old boy was mauled to death by a dog on Saturday. Police responded to 675 Whiting Avenue just after 1 pm to a report of a child attacked by a dog. Officers arrived and found the dog still biting the boy. Once the officers "disengaged the dog" the animal turned on them. Police shot the dog to prevent further attacks on officers or others nearby. The boy was taken to Galesburg Cottage Hospital, where he died from his severe injuries.

According to the news release from the Galesburg Police Department, the boy was visiting the home and playing in the backyard when he was attacked. KWQC reports that investigators described the dog as a pit bull. Investigators also believe the dog was restrained prior to the attack, but managed to break free. Police are withholding the boy's name pending notification of family. Notably, police arrested a man for armed robbery at the same residence last October.

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

1It is unknown where the other pit bull was located when Ghost fatally attacked Ryan.
2Later the same night, after Terrell Allen was shot to death, Ashiya was in a parked car in front of her and Carter's home when an unknown number of assailants open fired, riddling the car with 11 bullets. Ashiay and Carter understand deadly violence all too well. Golden retrievers or poodles wouldn't interest this couple.
3Paula Johnson, the boy's great-aunt, used "dogs" in plural form in the video. Thus far, via online research, we believe at least two family members owned pit bulls, but it is unknown if both dogs were present during the attack.
4What is debatable is how often, if ever, breeders of pit bulls and groups that adopt out young pit bulls ever share this information with the buyer or adopter. Doing so would deflate the myth, "It's all in how you raise 'em!"

Posted on March 6, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: 14-Month Old Wisconsin Boy Killed by Babysitter's Pit Bulls

Daxton Borchardt was mauled to death by two pit bulls belonging to his babysitter.

Police Release Details
UPDATE 04/02/13: On Monday, the Walworth County Sheriff's Office released new information about the fatal pit bull mauling of Daxton Borchardt. The reports detail the savage attack upon the 14-month old boy and the dogs' owner, Susan Iwicki, who was babysitting the boy at the time of the fatal mauling. According to reports, the two pit bulls turned from "playful and nippy" into a violent frenzy on March 6 as Iwicki took the two animals outside her home while holding Daxton.

Iwicki then lost hold of Daxton and the boy went sprawling to the ground. The dogs lunged onto Daxton and began a brutal and ultimately fatal attack on him, according to Iwicki's accounts.

Iwicki screamed for help and tried to kick the dogs away as one stood on her back, mauling her. As the dogs stalked in circles around Daxton, she somehow managed to get the pit bulls and Daxton separated. Inside her house, she used baby gates to keep Daxton and the dogs in different rooms while she called 911 and shouted frantic and panicked pleas for help.

By then, Daxton was critically injured and was losing massive amounts of blood, according to reports. (GazetteXtra.com)

A deputy was first to arrive at what he feared was a murder scene. Blood and fabric were all over the yard where the attack took place, according to reports. The deputy yelled for Iwicki to get the dogs out of the house and away from the scene. The officer discovered Daxton in one of the rooms in Iwicki's home. The toddler was fully naked and lying motionless on his back on the floor in a puddle of blood that was "everywhere," according to reports. The boy was still barely alive.

Daxton's father, Jeffery Borchardt, was helping Iwicki's boyfriend install carpeting at another home when his son was violently attacked. Iwicki called her boyfriend in a panic after the horrific mauling. He left right away and would NOT tell Jeffery why, only that something had happened involving Daxton, according to reports. No criminal charges against Susan Iwicki are pending. Jeffery told deputies after the attack that he never wanted to see Iwicki or her boyfriend again.

Veterinary records included in the reports showed that both dogs -- 3-year old pit bulls, a male and female -- had been spayed and neutered.

03/07/13: Father Shares Grief
As some readers already know, the father of Daxton Borchardt has been speaking out publicly on his Facebook page about the violent pit bull attack that took his son's life on Wednesday. The father's most recent post says: "What do I do now?...I don't know how I'm ever gonna continue on with life...I just want to die...why us?..why this way?" DogsBite.org and all of our readers grieve for this boy's young parents and the unbearable, life-altering loss they are suffering.1

Daxton Borchardt Fund
A memorial fund has been set up at Associated Bank. Donations can be made at any Associated Bank branch to the "Daxton Borchardt Fund."

03/07/13: Friends React to Death
Family friends tell Today's TMJ4 that the child's name is Dax. They gathered to mourn his loss and to support his parents. Dax was at his babysitter's "apartment" (a mere unit of the large home) when Susan Iwicki's two pit bulls berserked, attacking the child and their owner. The news agency is also trying to obtain the 911 call. It is unknown if Susan Iwicki may face criminal charges; she wouldn't be the first babysitter charged under similar circumstances after a child's death.

Separately, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that the boy's death is the first fatal dog attack in Wisconsin in a decade. It was just a few years ago, however, that Taylor Becker, 4-years old, was mauled to death by a chained dog while "visiting" family friends in Hubbard Township.2

03/06/13: Boy Dies After Mauling
Walworth, WI - Another young boy has been savagely killed by a pit bull. Earlier today, we began following this story. 30-year old Susan Iwicki, the owner of the two attacking pit bulls, made the 911 call. She told authorities that she and a 14-month old boy were under attack by her two dogs and had sustained multiple injuries. The boy was transported to Mercy-Walworth Medical Center and Hospital then airlifted to a Milwaukee-area hospital that treats critical injuries.

The county coroner's office confirmed that the boy died of his injuries at 3:32 pm Wednesday. A separate story stated that the attack occurred shortly before noon. WISN learned more details by speaking to the son of the property owners where the attack took place. He believes Susan Iwicki may have been babysitting at the time, and that the child was not hers. Authorities have not released the child's name. Sheriff's deputies continue to investigate the fatal dog attack.

1Chris Brahm, quoted heavily in the Today's TMJ4 article is a disgraceful Maul Talker -- intentional or otherwise -- spouting off pit bull distortions such as "any dog can do it." Karen Adleman is no better, "it's almost like it's an act of God." The fact that this grief stricken father has to deal with tactless pit bull apologists at this time is an atrocity.
2The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel updated their article to include Taylor Becker after DogsBite.org sent correspondence.

Photo: Facebook.com

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: Elderly Woman Mauled to Death by Pit Bulls in Motel Room

Watercolorist Elsie Grace seen standing next to one of her paintings.

Memorial Website
UPDATE 02/25/13: Family members have created a memorial website for Elsie Grace who was found in a hotel room mauled to death by her son's two pit bulls on February 8. The website is devoted to the celebration of Elsie's life and her accomplishments as a teacher and watercolor painter. The website also hosts the Official Elsie Grace Scholarship for the Arts Fund. The starting goal is to raise $33,000 -- $1,000 for each year Elsie taught at Copper Mountain College.

By establishing the scholarship fund, the family hopes to carry on Elsie's legacy of sharing the love and appreciation of art by providing financial aid to Copper Mountain College students on an annual basis in the future. If readers are unable to give to the scholarship fund, the family asks that you share the Elsie Grace Memorial website and its cause "on every social medical platform that you can." The family adds, "Let's show the power of social media for a great cause."

02/11/13: A Watercolor Artist
New information from The Press-Enterprise indicates that Elsie Grace was a nationally recognized watercolor artist who taught for 33 years at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree, California. Grace was a member of the La Quinta Arts Association, where she last exhibited as part of the 2004 Art Under the Umbrellas program. She also belonged to other national watercolor associations, according to Karen Ellis, a Palm Springs consultant who said she knew Grace.

After her retirement in 2004, Grace was commissioned by La Quinta Hotel and painted 230 watercolor views of the hotel's casitas. Thus far, authorities have released no information about the victim's son who was staying with her at the motel, along with two family pit bulls. Details about the background of the dogs have not been released either, such as if they were adopted from a shelter or rescue group or even the actual owner of the dogs, which we expect is her son.

Jeff Sheppard, the president and CEO1 of the Ramona Humane Society, which has the animal control contract for the City of Hemet, suggested the woman was dead before the attack and that the dogs licked her to try to wake her up. Sheppard makes no mention of the nature of the attack described by police as inflicting a "great deal of trauma." As typical, another tax-payer funded humane group is awash in pit bull apologia in the instant wake of a brutal fatal pit bull mauling.

The dogs were removed and are being held by the Ramona Humane Society, which oversees animals control in the city.

"They don't seem really aggressive," said Jeff Sheppard, president and CEO of the Humane Society. "These are family pets."

Sheppard said he did not know the specifics of the case, but it would not be unusual for pets to lick an owner who is unresponsive.

"An animal's instinct is to try and wake them up," he said.

It's possible that the woman may have died before the animals attacked her, he said. The Press-Enterprise, February 11, 2013

02/11/13: Killed in Motel Room
Hemet, CA - Authorities say a 91-year old woman discovered dead in her motel room was mauled to death by two pit bulls. Elsie Grace was found dead in her Motel 6 room in Hemet on Friday morning. "The victim had a great deal of trauma to her body," according to Hemet police Lt. Duane Wisehart. Apparently, Grace and her son were staying at the motel because they were in the process of relocating to Hemet. Her unnamed son was away at the time of the deadly attack.

One of Elsie Grace's water color paintings from the Copper Mountain College's collection.

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

1Grace was killed on Friday -- 3 days before the media reported it. Yet, CEO Jeff Sheppard claimed he "did not know the specifics of the case." That's three strikes: 1.) Sheppard ignored the police statement describing the victim's injuries 2.) Instead, he suggested the victim was dead prior to the attack and 3.) As president and CEO, Sheppard also denied knowing "specifics" about a fatal dog attack under his own jurisdiction after 3 days.

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Colleen Lynn

2013 Dog Bite Fatality: 'Nightmare' Pit Bull Kills Uvalde County Boy

Parents of Isaiah Aguilar: Lisa Gonzales and Richard Aguilar.

History of Killing
UPDATE 02/19/13: Fox 29 reports (in the video) what we had suspected. There were two pit bulls in the neighbor's yard (See: related photo). The news group also reported that the female pit bull that attacked and killed Isaiah Aguilar had recently killed another pit bull. "The female that did this killed the Dad of the dogs," according to Isaiah's mother, Lisa Gonzales. She also said the animal ate most of her own puppies. "That dog attacked its own litter … and my son," Gonzales said.

02/18/13: Pit Bull Kills Young Boy
Sabinal, TX - In a developing story, a 2-year old boy was killed Saturday by a relative's pit bull. Isaiah Aguilar was playing with a balloon outside his home when the wind blew it into a backyard next door, according to police. When he went to retrieve the balloon, he came face-to-face with a female pit bull tied up in the yard. The dog viciously attacked the boy. The boy's sibling said that someone inside the home opened the door during the attack, but did not help the boy.1

By the time the boy's father, Richard Aguilar, reached him he was no longer breathing. A neighbor in the area performed CPR as the boy's family waited for police to arrive. The child was transported to a hospital in nearby Uvalde, but did not survive his injuries. The pit bull is currently being held in quarantine in Uvalde. Isaiah's mother, Lisa Gonzales, told police she was heartbroken that nobody came to help her son. "I just want all this to be a nightmare," she said.

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

Join Texas Dog Bite Victims' Advocacy - Join our Texas email list to stay informed

1Remember, in Texas, you can't watch your dog attack and "do nothing."

Photo: KSAT.com

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