Posted on February 16, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Killed by Pack of Breeding Pit Bulls in Compton, California

35-year Dominic Cooper was killed by a pack of breeding pit bulls in his backyard in Compton, CA.

Man Killed by Pit Bulls
Compton, CA - A 35-year old man is dead after being mauled by a pack of breeding pit bulls in the backyard of his home. The attack was reported around 7:10 am in the 900 block of North Thorson Avenue, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Just before 9:00 am, deputies were still trying to enter the yard where the pack of aggressive pit bulls were fighting near the man's body, reports Patch. "They're trying to make a plan to enter the backyard," Deputy Maria Lucero said.

The victim has since been identified as Dominic Cooper, 35. His cause of death is listed as "deferred," meaning the investigation is not complete.

KTLA Sky footage captured the chilling scene of a firefighter atop a stone wall looking down into a yard of kennels and pit bulls. The man's body was covered in blood, laying inside one of the kennels. The firefighter is helping a woman safely evacuate the yard. Animal control confiscated 13 pit bulls -- five adults and eight puppies. According to investigators, surveillance video captured part of the attack. The man appeared to have been feeding the dogs when several of them began fighting.

KTLA reports the attack likely occurred Thursday night between 7:30 pm and 8:00 pm, but his body was not found until a concerned friend visited his home on Friday to check on him. Neighbors said the man lived alone at the home with the dog pack. Lt. Michael Gomez with LASD’s Homicide Bureau said in a press conference, "It is believed he was feeding the dogs, at which point, maybe there was an altercation between some of the dogs, and [they] ultimately attacked and mauled the victim."

FOX 11 Sky also captured footage of the scene. It is believed it was the victim's girlfriend who called 911 to report the incident. "We cannot show you what we discovered in that backyard, but apparently there are two homes out here that are breeding pit bulls," said a FOX 11 reporter from a helicopter above the scene. "When I say there is a number of them, I mean a large number of pit bulls out here. And sad to say, we did see one person not moving and very bloody in the backyard as well."

According to a press release from the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control (DACC), the eight puppies taken into custody are 4 to 6 months old. The father of the victim is cooperating and has signed over the 13 pit bulls to DACC. "Preliminary information suggests that the deceased individual was involved in breeding and selling pit bulls. DACC continues to work diligently to gather additional details surrounding the circumstances of this tragedy," states the release.

Covid Macro-Level Forces

There has not been a media-reported fatal pit bull mauling in California since February 2020. Between May 2020 and July 2021, our nonprofit uncovered three non-media reported California fatal pit bull maulings. From 2005 to 2019, there was an average of 3 fatal pit bull maulings in California per year. But there were no media-reported pit bull fatalities in California in 2021, 2022, and 2023. That is potentially 8 or 9 fatal dog maulings unaccounted for due to ongoing Covid macro-level forces.

Pack of breeding pit bulls kill man in Compton, CA

Dominic Cooper, 35, was killed by a pack of breeding pit bulls in Compton, California.

Scene after Dominic Cooper was killed by a pack of breeding pit bulls in Compton, California.

Footage from ABC7/KABC-TV shows the kennel operation and one of the pit bulls.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: California 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 February 7, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Breeder Killed, Husband Severely Injured After Attack by Catahoula Leopard Dog

A woman was killed, her husband injured after being attacked by a catahoula leopard dog.

Killed By Own Dog
Chiefland, FL - Last week, a news report was published by WCJB about a woman killed and her husband seriously injured by one of their catahoula leopard dogs on January 29. Levy County sheriff's deputies said the couple had bred catahoula leopard dogs for more than 25 years when one of them turned on them. The husband and wife, who were not identified by police at that time, were badly mauled. The couple has since been identified as Leonora Lawhon Hale and her husband, Jim.

According to audio dispatch log files from Levy County Public Safety, the attack occurred around 9:15 pm in the 6800 block of Northwest 88th Lane. After stating the address, the dispatcher states, "reference 72-year old female, animal bite." About seven minutes later, a second responder was sent to the same address. "Reference second patient, animal bite," states the dispatcher. Jim remains hospitalized but is expected to recover from his injuries. He is being moved to a rehab center soon.

Jim's Facebook page, which he shares with his wife, states, "We love dogs, horses, fishing and music." Multiple catahoula leopard dogs are seen on the page. Both are listed in a 2021 show roster for the International Dog Shows and International All Breed Canine Association. They were competing with a male catahoula leopard dog named, "Hale's Doc Holiday." Koon's Bleu Ace is the sire and Hale's Sparkle is the dam. Family members later confirmed that Doc Holiday was the dog involved.

The couple is active with the Levy County Horse Club Trail Riders (LCHCT), a nonprofit organization. Business records from the Secretary of State show that Leonora was the director from 2017 to 2018. She also participated in horse shows in the region. A December 2017 post from Jim states, we have "been saying Merry Christmas together for 48 years today. Wishing you all the best." Indicating the couple has been married for over a half century. We hope that Jim makes a full recovery.

Breeder killed by catahoula leopard dog, chiefland

Leonora Hale, 72, died after being attacked by one of her catahoula leopard dogs.

Posted on February 2, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Sustains Devastating Injuries in Detroit Pit Bull Mauling; Dies While Hospitalized

Detroit Dog Owners Charged with Felony After Deadly Pit Bull Mauling

Harold Phillips, 35, died Friday after sustaining devastating injuries by pit bulls.

Dog Owners Sentenced
UPDATE 01/03/25: The owners of three pit bull-mixes that attacked Harold Phillips on January 29, 2024, causing critical injuries and death, were sentenced on January 3, 2025. The male defendant, Roy Goodman, will serve between 30 months and 15 years in prison in connection to the dog mauling. The female defendant, Goodman's wife, was only sentence to probation. Trevina Goodman received 3 years probation, which includes conditions of community service and no possession of animals.

Phillips had been walking home from a bus stop, when the couple's three dogs escaped through an unlatched gate in the 9400 block of Longacre and attacked him. Phillips sustained catastrophic injuries. "The dogs bit a pretty big hole out of his arm and tore his artery, so he lost a lot of blood ... He has to keep getting transfusions. They cut off his right arm," his wife, Shauntaye Phillips said. Phillips died on February 2. Shauntaye later sued multiple parties, including Detroit Animal Care and Control.

05/14/24: City, Animal Control Sued
Three months after Harold Phillips sustained life-threatening injuries in a dog mauling and died, his wife Shauntaye Phillips is suing the dogs’ owners, Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC), former Animal Control Director Mark Kumpf, interim Director Lori Sowle, two investigators, and a nonprofit that works with DACC, Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control. The Complaint contends the city allowed the nonprofit to "exert extensive influence" over the enforcement of the city's dangerous animal code.

The lawsuit contends that the no-kill model adopted by the nonprofit and the city to avoid euthanasia, created a dangerous environment. “While animal lives were being spared, dangerous animals remained an unaddressed and ever-present threat to the safety and lives of people within the City of Detroit," states the Complaint. The no-kill model is "utterly ineffective, reckless and deadly." Even though DACC had previously declared one of the dogs dangerous, the city returned the canine to its owners.

Follow the civil lawsuit: Phillips, PR for Est. Of Harold Phillips, Shauntaye a. V City of Detroit , et al., Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan, Case No. 24-004825-NO at Odyssey Public Access

02/28/24 Dog Owners Charged
The owners of three dogs that attacked Harold Phillips have been charged with a felony in connection to his death. Roy Eric Goodman, 40, and Trevina Quiche Goodman, 38, are each charged with one count of owning a dangerous animal that caused a person's death. On January 29, the couple's three pit bull-mixes escaped their property and attacked Phillips after he exited a bus. Phillips sustained critical injuries, including an amputation, and died on February 2. The dogs had a history of violence.

"This is heartbreaking," Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement. "I just do not understand why we continue to see unleashed and unsecured dangerous dogs running loose and killing our citizenry. With pet ownership comes responsibility, pure and simple. I do not see what is hard to understand about that." Roy was arraigned Wednesday in the 36th District Court. A preliminary examination is scheduled for March 13. Trevina's arraignment date has not yet been announced.

02/02/24: Medically Induced Coma
Detroit, MI - A 35-year old man, who was viciously attacked by three pit bulls on Monday, died Friday evening. A GoFundMe for Harold Phillips stated yesterday that his "condition at this time isn't improving. his organs are shutting down." The attack occurred at 8:15 pm Monday on West Chicago and Longacre Street, after Phillips exited a bus and started to walk home. According to Detroit Animal Care and Control (DACC), three pit bull-mix dogs got out of a fenced yard and attacked him.

"Friday Evening Update: It's with my deepest regret to inform you that Harold has passed away this evening. I appreciate every prayer donation and message. thank you all for the love and care you've shown my husband. my children and I are forever grateful."

From the start of his hospitalization on Monday, his family was bracing for the worst. "He is not expected to make it," his wife, Shauntaye Phillips, wrote on the GoFundMe. "I don't wanna say funeral but that's the road we are on." Doctors have amputated his right arm, he’s on dialysis, has had several blood transfusions, and he's in a medically induced coma, she told WDIV. The couple has six children together. So far, the fund has raised $31,800. The Phillips family hired Southfield-based Fieger Law.

All three dogs were euthanized. A fourth dog was also seized from the home. The owners, a husband and wife, received five citations each: failure to license, failure to vaccinate, dogs running at large, over the legal limit of dogs on property (two maximum), and failure to prevent menacing/dangerous behavior. Roy Goodman, one of owners, admitted that his dogs have been involved in three previous biting incidents. Goodman also told WXYZ that he should have gotten rid of the dogs sooner.

In 2021, Goodman was charged with failing to prevent menacing/dangerous behavior for a separate incident. He pleaded guilty, but the case was dismissed. Also that year, his wife was charged with harboring dogs over the city's limit. She was a no-show in court and has a warrant out for her arrest. Harold blamed his wife for not putting down the child-biter. A sign hanging on their front door states, "No Entry. 1.) No humans of any king 2. Must have four paws to enter 3. Must speak dog-Latin."

Family Speaks Out

On Tuesday, Fox 2 Detroit interviewed Phillips' wife and children. "The dogs bit his groin, his head, his back, his legs -- they mauled him," Shauntaye said. The couple has five children under the age of 18. They are 8, 11, 12, 13 and 17-years old. The youngest daughter said, "I'm heartbroken because I don't have a father that can take care of me." Her brother told the news crew, "(There) should be justice -- I don’t know what to say. It’s my dad, it's him, he’s not supposed to die like this. He’s too strong."

On February 1, CBS Detroit reported that the Phillips family is suing the dogs' owners and the city of Detroit. James Harrington is the attorney from Fieger Law who is representing the family. It was his investigation that revealed the bite histories of the dogs. He believes DACC knew how dangerous the dogs were. "We've already started our investigation, and our investigation has been very thorough in a short period of time, and some of the things we've begun to uncover is shocking," Harrington said.

The former director of Detroit Animal Care and Control, Mark Kumpf, may have dodged another bullet. He left the agency late last fall. For once, Kumpf was not the director when "another" fatal dog mauling occurred. Under his leadership in Montgomery County, Ohio, four people were killed by dogs from 2012 to 2017, including Klonda Richey. In September 2019, Kumpf became the director of DACC. Between then and late 2023, at least three people were killed by dogs under his watch in Detroit.

devastating injuries detroit pit bull mauling

The suspected pit bulls belonging to Roy Goodman that viciously attacked Harold Phillips.

Graphic Medical study: Pitbull Mauling Deaths in Detroit, by Cheryl L. Loewe MD et al., The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology, Vol 28, December 2007.

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

Posted on February 1, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Teenager, 19, Killed by Dogs on Fort Hall Reservation; Few Details Released

Carlon Galloway, 19, was killed by dogs on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Victim's Parents Speak Out
UPDATE 02/07/24: On Monday, Carlon Galloway's family spoke to East Idaho News to clear Carlon's name and provide more details about the violent dogs that took his life on January 31. Carlon was on a walk that morning when he was attacked and killed by a pack of 12 dogs, his father, Daniel De La Cruz and his step-mother, Linna De La Cruz, said. His sudden and horrific death came two days after Blackfoot police issued a news release that Carlon was wanted for an outstanding felony warrant.

Carlon attended Shoshone-Bannock Jr./Sr. High School in Fort Hall. He also worked for his father, who owns a roofing company. "He wasn't a dangerous, mean criminal," Linna said. He also wasn't a troublemaker. "He wasn't a kid that was going to start trouble," Daniel said. He was a good brother, and an amazing son. He wasn't perfect either. When he was 16, he crashed his truck and fled the scene. He was charged with felony alluding, which resulted in the outstanding warrant, his parents said.

The reason why he ran from police on January 29, is because he was visiting a home on Rice Street in Blackfoot, when police showed up to serve a warrant for another person at the house. Fearing for his outstanding warrant, when questioned by law enforcement, Carlon told them his name was "George" then took off running, Daniel explained. Neither of the two boys that fled the scene that day were in the possession of a firearm, according to his mother. "Carlon didn't carry guns," she said.

He ended up at his dead grandfather's home in Fort Hall. He ate breakfast at about 8:00 am then went for a walk. A few hours later, Daniel said, a family member who lived nearby saw a dog pack attacking something. She then realized they were attacking a person on the ground. She called Fort Hall police and the FBI. Carlon's biological mother called Daniel to share the awful news. "'He’s dead. He got attacked by the neighbor’s dogs -- a bunch of them. He’s dead,'" Daniel recalled through tears.

As in most fatal pack attacks, the dogs destroyed him and, in the process, stripped him naked. “I didn’t even recognize him. He was naked, and his body was just laid out face forward all muddy. I couldn’t even tell it was a body -- my son’s body,” Daniel told East Idaho News. Shoshone Bannock Tribes Fish and Game Department euthanized all 12 dogs. No information was provided about the "neighbor" who "owned" the dog pack. "Nobody deserves to die the way that he did," Linna said. "We loved him."

02/02/24: Teenager Killed by Dogs
Fort Hall, ID - The Idaho State Journal, reports that a man died after being attacked by dogs on the Fort Hall Reservation on January 31. The attack occurred around noon at a residence on Jim Road, two miles south of Blackfoot, the Bingham County Sheriff's Office said. The man died at the scene due to an apparent dog attack, Bingham County Coroner Jimmy Roberts said. His death remains under investigation. Several dogs were euthanized by authorities while Roberts was at the scene.

For Immediate Release - January 31, 2024

Investigation Underway Involving a Deceased Male Located on the Fort Hall Reservation

Fort Hall – The Fort Hall Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating a case involving a male individual found deceased in the Gibson District of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation today.

The FBI is the lead agency on the case. The individual has been identified, and the family has been notified. This is an isolated incident and there is currently no danger to the public.

No further information is being provided at this time. Any questions should be directed to the FBI. - Shoshone-Bannock Tribes

GoFundMe Identifies Victim

A GoFundMe identifies the Fort Hall dog attack victim as 19-year old Carlon Delacruz, who "passed away due to a sudden dog attack" on January 31, 2024. The fund links to the Idaho State Journal article. His sudden loss has "left our entire family in shock," states the fund. "Losing a son, is a parents worst fear and something that no one should have to endure, especially in this way." The fund asks for help in paying his funeral expenses. This victim is known on Facebook as Carlon Galloway.

A 19-year old male killed by dogs is so rare that we have no record of this occurring in the 19-year period of January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2023. Of the 734 total dog bite fatalities recorded during this period, 0% were 19-year old males. When including both genders and all teenage years (13-19 years), there have only been 9 victims, 1.2% of all victims. One of them was 13-year old Lyssa Rose, who was killed by a pack of vicious dogs on the Navajo Nation in Fort Defiance on May 16, 2021.

Fled Crime Scene Day Earlier

Two days before the deadly dog mauling, a felony arrest warrant was issued for Galloway after he was identified as a "subject of interest" regarding an incident that occurred around 10:50 am, where Idaho State Probation and Parole officers observed "several subjects fleeing the on foot of an active crime scene in the 300 block of Rice Street in Blackfoot," according to a Monday news release from the Blackfoot Police Department. Police did not say what crime Galloway is accused of committing.

One of those subjects may have been in possession of a firearm. Blackfoot police notified School District 55 administration of the situation and a decision was made for multiple schools to enact "shelter in place" protocols. One of the subjects, who was not armed with a firearm, was located on Monday at 12:00 pm. Galloway was found dead on Tuesday around 12:00 pm being mauled by dogs at a home on Jim Road. Police have not released any details about the crime scene on Rice Street.

Gibson District of the Fort Hall

The last capture of Jim Road by Google Maps was 2011. The capture only shows the 300 block of Jim Road at the intersection of Diggie Road. Two loose pit bulls are seen, apparently checking out the Google Street View vehicle. The dogs appear to be purebred, not pit bull-mixes. Thus, as far back as 13 years ago, full-blooded pit bulls were roaming the area. No other dogs are seen anywhere up and down Diggie Road. We hope the Google Street View driver did not exit the vehicle at that time.

Last January, 7-year old Kellan Boner was killed by four dogs on the Fort Hall Reservation. Those were pet dogs, not stray roaming dogs, and belonged to non-tribal members, Benjamin Dominick Wolfchild and Juliana Wolfchild. Kellan and his mother, also non-tribal members, lived in an RV behind the Wolfchild home. The four dogs, two rottweilers and two mixed-breed dogs, attacked Kellan on the front porch of the Wolfchild home. Kellan's mother sustained severe injuries trying to save her son.

Man killed by dogs Fort hall reservation

A man was apparently killed by dogs on Jim Road on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.

Google Maps only has a view of Jim Road from 2011. Nonetheless, full-blooded pit bulls are seen roaming the 300 block of Jim Road. No other dogs are seen in the area.

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.

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Detroit Dog Owners Charged with Felony After Deadly Pit Bull Mauling