Posted on September 18, 2008 by Colleen Lynn

2008 Dog Bite Fatality: Family Pit Bulls Fatally Maul 4-Month Old in Las Vegas

No Charges Filed
UPDATE 10/21/08: There will be no criminal charges after a baby girl was violently killed by two family pit bulls. District Attorney David Roger said his office couldn't find that the family members of the child had intentionally placed her in harm's way. "There were no significant prior actions of the dogs that would suggest that these dogs would be dangerous to human beings," Rogers said. Despite the well-documented fact that pit bulls routinely unpredictably attack and kill people.

"No authority had ever declared these animals vicious," Roger said. "There were no significant prior actions of the dogs that would suggest that these dogs would be dangerous to human beings."

The decision by the district attorney brings to a close one of the most vicious animal attacks in the valley in recent memory. - Lawrence Mower, Las Vegas Review-Journal, October 21, 2008

09/13/08: Dogs Force Way into Home
Chief Joseph Forti told the Las Vegas Review-Journal the dogs were in the backyard of the home near Cheyenne Avenue before the attack. The pit bulls entered the home -- possibly by bursting through a screen door -- Forti said, and began attacking the baby as she lay in her stroller. "They just went right for the little girl," he said. The grandmother took the baby and escaped into a room. When she tried to close the door, one of the pit bulls forced its way in and the other followed.

The pit bulls then started to viciously attack the little girl again, reports the Review-Journal. At that point, the grandmother called 911. When officers arrived, they found the baby girl laying on the bedroom floor. She was dead from her injuries. Forti said he was told by police officers the little girl suffered "very severe bite and head wounds." The attack was so horrific that all officers and medical personnel who responded to the scene are being offered counseling services, Forti said.

The 4-month-old girl mauled to death by two pit bulls Friday has been identified as Cendi Kia Carey of Las Vegas, the Clark County coroner's office said today.

Officers found the infant laying on a bedroom floor. Paramedics pronounced the baby dead from the attack, police said.

The infant girl's grandmother had been babysitting the baby in a home in the 1700 block of Eagle View Way in North Las Vegas, according to North Las Vegas police. - Mary Manning, Las Vegas Sun, September 15, 2008

09/12/08: Family Pit Bulls Kill Child
Las Vegas, NV - A 4-month old girl was mauled to death by her family's two pit bulls. Capt. Cedric Williams of the North Las Vegas Fire Department said the grandmother, who was babysitting the child, was also injured when she tried to save her. "Somehow the dogs got inside the house," he said. He added that the pit bulls "were the family pets." Williams said that when police arrived to the home in the 1700 block of Eagle View Drive, they were forced to shoot both pit bulls.

Parts of 911 Call

Dispatcher: "What is your address? Where are you at? Is she conscious at all?"
Grandmother: "No, she is dead."
Dispatcher: "Can you put him outside or something where he is not going to hurt anybody else?
Grandmother: "No, he has bitten my hands."
Dispatcher: "Where?"
Grandmother: "He has bitten on my hands and my arms."
Dispatcher: "You are all bit up too?"
Grandmother: "He is running around the living room with the other one.
There are two of them. I can hear sirens, would that be them?"
Dispatcher: "That is them."
Grandmother: "Oh, God."

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

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Colleen Lynn

2008 Dog Bite Fatality: Luna McDaniel, 83-Years Old, Dies from Pit Bull Injury

Luna McDaniel, 83-years old, was mauled to death by three loose pit bulls.

Legislation Passes
UPDATE 06/24/09: After the mauling deaths of Luna McDaniel and 4-year old Michael Blaise Landry, state Rep. Rickey Hardy proposed House Bill 155. The legislation, known as The "Luna McDaniel and Michael 'Blaise' Landry Act," would allow prosecutors to charge all dog owners with negligent homicide -- a crime that carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The Louisiana legislature passed the new bill unanimously in both chambers in June.

The City of Ville Platte, which already had an ordinance that declared pit bulls "vicious," increased penalties after Luna's death as well. The new law requires owners to carry more liability insurance, and gave officers the right to immediately impound a dog without a hearing if the animal was deemed "vicious." Strong urging on the part of McDaniel's family helped pass both state and local legislation, showing the important role a victim's family can play in advancing new laws.

05/25/09: Trial Set for Pit Bull Owner
The day after Luna McDaniel died, charges against the dogs' owner, Theo Doucet, were increased to negligent homicide. According to The Advocate, Doucet is scheduled for trial June 4, 2009. Following Luna's death, the McDaniel's family helped support House Bill 155, statewide legislation that would broaden powers for prosecutors, allowing them to charge all dog owners with negligent homicide after a fatal dog attack, as well as stricter local laws within the City of Ville Platte.

09/09/08: Ville Platte Woman Dies
Ville Platte, LA - Several days after a person providing updates about Luna's condition reported that she had died, it was confirmed in the news. KATC.com, a local news source, confirms that Luna McDaniel, 83-years old, died of her injuries September 4th, 2008. The devastating attack occurred August 24th while she was taking an innocent morning walk. Of her many injuries, she suffered a leg amputation, severe arm injury and both of her ears were badly damaged.

One of the three pit bulls was shot dead at the scene by a police officer. The surviving dogs were later euthanized. The owner of the dogs was given nine citations for 1.) allowing the dogs to run at large 2.) improper confinement and 3.) having no liability insurance (each charge was multiplied by 3 due to 3 dogs). Six of these charges were possible, the latter two, because the City of Ville Platte declares pit bulls as "vicious" and requires these owners to adhere to stiffer requirements.

09/04/08: Commenter Update
Our commenter reports that Mrs. McDaniel died this morning, September 4, 2008. The hurricane is hampering efforts to gather family together for the funeral. The thoughts and prayers of DogsBite.org and all of our readers are with Luna's family. Luna McDaniel will not be forgotten.

08/29/08: Commenter Update
Another unverified report has been left. The person writes that Luna now has pneumonia and has endured a fever for about 24 hrs. Doctors say she is rapidly declining, and family members are being told to say goodbye. She has been brought out of the induced coma and her responses are not what they had hoped. More injuries are also being discovered, including possible eye damage.

08/28/08: Commenter Update
A commenter left an unverified report of Luna's condition. The person wrote that both of Luna's ears were injured in the attack; her leg was amputated just below the knee and one arm was severely injured as well. She faces about 20 surgeries. She added that Luna did not lose consciousness during the attack, a comment that was also echoed by Jennifer Lowe's family.

08/27/08: Woman Attacked by Pit Bulls
Ville Platte, LA - An elderly woman was severely injured after being attacked by three pit bulls while taking a walk Sunday morning, reports KLFY News, Neighbor Kaura Ardoin, who witnessed the vicious attack, was left visibly shaken. "We seen three dogs...attack a lady," Ardoin said. When police arrived to the scene, the three pit bulls bolted toward the officer. He shot and killed one of the dogs and injured another. The surviving two pit bulls were detained and will be euthanized.

The owner of the pit bulls, Theo Doucet, was given three citations by Ville Platte Police: Allowing his dogs to run at large, improper confinement of pit bulls, and no liability insurance for pit bulls, both are breed-specific requirements in the City of Ville Platte. The victim, 83-year old Luna McDaniel, remains in I.C.U at Opelousas General Hospital in serious condition. According to witnesses, one of her feet was nearly severed. Our hearts go out to Luna and her family.

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Colleen Lynn

2008 Dog Bite Fatality: Alexis Hennessy, 6-Days Old, Killed By Family Husky

Alexis Hennessy, 6-days old, was attacked in her crib by the family husky.

Newborn Attacked in Crib archived
Hopatcong, NJ - A 6-day old Hopatcong Borough infant had died after the family dog attacked her while she laid in her crib. Newborn Alexis Hennessy was attacked and killed by the family's 3-year old husky named Shadow. Paramedics rushed the infant to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Sussex County Prosecutor David Weaver said the girl's parents were home at the time of the attack. The preliminary investigation indicates no foul play Weaver said.

A 6-day-old baby girl from Hopatcong was momentarily left alone in her crib Saturday, seemingly safe, authorities said.
But that's when the family dog, a 40-pound male husky named Shadow, bit the baby on the head and inflicted a mortal wound. Alexis Hennessy, born Aug. 31, was rushed to Morristown Memorial Hospital, where she was pronounced dead Saturday night, authorities said.
Both parents, whose names were not released, were home at the time. Hopatcong Police Chief John Swanson said no other children were in the house.
The baby's mother "left the room momentarily and came back in and discovered it (the bite) either ongoing or just done," Swanson said. "They didn't do anything that any other parent wouldn't have done. It's just one of those things." - Jim Lockwood, The Star-Ledger, September 9, 2008

Posted on August 23, 2008 by Colleen Lynn

Blue Eyes Euthanized, Constroversy Still Swells In Mississippi

Tony Evans Jr., 3-years old, was killed by his neighbor's chained pit bull.

Pit Bull Owner Blames Dog
Jackson, MS - It took officials one month to euthanize Blue Eyes. On July 22nd, Tony Evans Jr. was killed by the dog after he wandered into the dog's area. The chained pit bull clamped down on his neck, drug him into his dog house and killed him. The owner of the dog, Shannon Reason, recently said he only wishes the dog could have been killed sooner. "All I've been saying is kill that dog."

He said one media outlet wanted to "fly me and my wife to New York so we can defend the pit bull breed. I don't want to have anything to do with that." Too bad Reason did not name the source. Such a brilliant idea: Get the owner of a chained pit bull that killed a toddler to defend the breed. Whoever Reason is referring to, let's be clear on the power of the pit bull propaganda machine.

It's like the power of a black hole; even light can't escape.

Controversy continues to surround the tragedy of Tony Evans Jr. His mother, Chassidy Vardaman tells police that she had asked Reason to watch Tony because she was caring for her other small son in her home. Reason has repeatedly disputed her statement. Vardaman could not be reached to comment in this particular Clarion-Ledger article. A knock on her door went unanswered.

In what can only be described as ironic, Reason says things have gotten really bad in the community. He says he has been threatened by people on the street and has gotten several threatening phone calls. He even carries a gun now. Reason said his family is looking for a new home outside of Mississippi. "I know it is what it is," he said, "but I did not kill that baby -- my pit bull did."

Typically, the scenario is reversed after a serious or fatal dog mauling.

Victims and familys of victims are frequently harassed by pit bull owners and advocates after a serious attack. Not only do these individuals suffer the physical and emotional injuries of the attack and bear the medical cost burden, they have to deal with intimidating dog owners, who in many instances are their nearby neighbors. Due to this, victims frequently relocate to a new home.

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