2008 Dog Bite Fatality: Kelli Chapman Killed by Two Pit Bulls

kellie chapman mauled to death by own pit bulls
Kelli Chapman, 24-years old, was killed by her pet pit bulls while sleeping in her bed.

New Information
UPDATE 1/23/08: Investigators say this wasn't the first time officers had to shoot a dog at the Chapman's home. Police reports show that in October 2006, the Beauregard-DeRidder narcotics task force and the SWAT team raided the Chapman home, where they found methamphetamine and other drug items. Both Kelli and Jason were arrested. During the raid, one of the couple's pit bulls bit an officer and tried to attack a second officer. Officers shot and killed the animal.

1/23/08: Authorities Reveal Defensive Wounds
Preliminary autopsy results show Kelli Chapman, 24-years old of Longville, died of bite trauma injuries and blood loss. Chapman had injuries to her forearms as well, indicating possible defensive wounds, according to Chief Deputy Robert McCullough. He said there was damage to the furniture and other items in the bedroom where the attack occurred, another sign she was trying to defend herself. McCullough stated that no foul play is suspected at this time.

      McCullough said Kelli Chapman suffered bite and puncture wounds. She had injuries to her forearms, indicating possible defensive wounds, McCullough said.
      "It is possible, and there was other damage to furniture and stuff in the bedroom, where the attack occurred, so it is possible that she was defending herself," he said.
      Her body was taken to the Calcasieu Parish Coroner's Office in Lake Charles for an autopsy. Preliminary results indicate that she died as a result of bite trauma and blood loss. - Elona Weston, Lake Charles American Press, January 22, 2008

1/22/08: Dogs Maul, Kill Owner
Longville, LA - 24 year old Kelli Chapman was killed by her two pit bulls while sleeping in her home. Her husband discovered her body when he returned home from work. She had been fatally mauled by the pair's two pit bulls, a female and a male. Relatives of the woman claim they think they know why the pit bulls fatally attacked her. Apparently, Kelli suffered from seizures. They think she may have had a seizure while sleeping and the dogs reacted to it by killing her.

      
"There's a certain small percentage of aggressiveness in any breed, whether it's a Chihuahua, a Rottweiler or a Pit Bull," said veterinarian Dr. Ted Hoerner.
      "The difference is the degree of damage that a certain animal can inflict. Pit bulls are huge, they're strong, their musculature is such they can inflict deadly damage. Unfortunately, that's what we've seen happen." - KFDM, January 21, 2008

Prior to the deadly attack, Kelli and her husband Jason let the pit bulls stay in their home and sometimes sleep in their bed. One has to wonder if a spaniel or other breed would have reacted similarly in these circumstances. Furthermore, many dog breeds help seizure victims; they do not kill them. As one commenter points out, "Did the seizure cause the attack or did the attack cause the seizure?" Frankly, was there even a seizure at all? There were no witnesses to the attack.

2008 Dog Bite Fatality: Justin Mozer Killed by Jack Russell Terrier

Autopsy Results archived
UPDATE 1/20/08: Officials say a 6-week old baby boy in Lexington died of suffocation and blood loss after being attacked by a family dog. Justin Mozer was sleeping in a bedroom Friday when a Jack Russell terrier attacked him. An autopsy was done Saturday on the infant's body. The Fayette County coroner's office says it showed that he died of traumatic asphyxia, or suffocation, and blood loss due to the dog attack. The manner of death is being investigated as accidental.

Though the baby had a crib, it was napping on a king-size bed that afternoon, said the baby's uncle Jeff Mozer. Without any warning, the dog attacked the baby, he said. The boy's father was at work when the attack occurred, Jeff said. Justin Mozer Senior kept a pit bull in the backyard for protection, Jeff explained. Both dogs were taken into custody by Fayette County Animal Control at the owner's request, reports the Herald-Leader. Jeff said the baby's parents are inconsolable.

Jeff Mozer said Justin Mozer had owned the Jack Russell for six or seven years. "The dog has been around my baby and other babies in the family. There has never been any reason for alarm."

Jeff Mozer said his brother bought the family home at Seven Pines Drive, near Versailles Road and Alexandria Drive, about a year ago and was remodeling it.

The former president of The Lane neighborhood association, Pete Hagan, said that in September 2007, the association sent Justin Mozer a letter complaining about the behavior of pit bulls kept in the back yard. The letter, which Hagan e-mailed to the Herald-Leader on Saturday, said pit bulls routinely got out of the yard and frightened neighbors. But Hagan said he had no problems with the Jack Russell terrier, and he had noticed no problems with the pit bulls since November. - Valarie Spears, Lexington Herald-Leader, January 20, 2008

01/19/08: Family Dog Kills Infant
Lexington, KY - A family dog killed a 6-week old baby yesterday. The attack happened at a home on Seven Pines Drive at about 3:50 pm. Witnesses told police that Justin Mozer was sleeping in a bedroom when the family's Jack Russell terrier attacked him. His mother was in the bathroom, bathing another child at the time. It is unknown if the baby was sleeping in a crib. The family also owns a pit bull. Fayette County Animal Control removed both dogs by request of the owner.

Lillian's Law - Texas State Dangerous Dog Law

Austin, TX - Lillian's Law (HB 1355) is the new Texas State dangerous dog law. Under the law, the owner of a loose dog that causes injury or death can be prosecuted if the owner is found to be "criminally negligent" in failing to prevent the dog from escaping. The third-degree felony charge can bring a sentence of 2 to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. If the victim dies, a dog owner can be charged with a second-degree felony, bringing up to 20 years in prison.

Lillian's Law stems from the brutal attack of 76-year old Lillian Stiles, who was killed by a pack of loose pit bull-rottweiler mixes while mowing her front lawn. Lillian's family was shocked to learn after her death that Texas laws do not, in most cases, hold the dog owner responsible for injuries caused by their dogs even when death results. Lillian's family formed a group, Texas Families Against Dangerous Dogs, and succeeded in helping the new legislation get passed.

Note: Lillian's Law did not abolish the Texas "one bite" rule. To gain a conviction under Lillian's Law, prosecutors still must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the dog owner knew or should have known that his dog was going to cause death or severe bodily injury.

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2008 Dog Bite Fatality: Brooklyn Infant Killed by Family Dog

brooklyn baby killed by dog
Andrew Stein, 8 months old, was attacked and killed by his family's doberman.

Infant Killed by Family Dog
An 8-month old baby in Brooklyn was mauled to death by his family's dog while playing on the floor. Andrew Stein was fatally bitten on the head and left with a crushed skull. The family dog was a 7-year old, neutered male doberman pinscher named Maccabee. The grandmother, who had been babysitting, was in the kitchen at the time. She heard the baby screaming and ran to see what happened. Unable to pull the dog away from the boy, she cried out in desperation.

      Leonardo Collado, 46, the superintendent at the building, about two blocks southwest of Prospect Park, said Andrew’s grandmother screamed in desperation when the dog attacked, but was unable to wrest Andrew free. Mr. Collado said he spoke to the grandmother and a couple from a neighboring apartment shortly after the attack.
      The grandmother "told me she was screaming for help because the dog had the baby on the floor, but she couldn’t get him away," he said. "She said the dog was chewing on his head." - Thomas Lueck, New York Times, January 4, 2008

Emergency personnel who responded to the scene shot the dog, which weighed up to 80 pounds, with a tranquilizer dart and transported it to a shelter operated by New York City Animal Care and Control. The city's health department stated in a news release that the dog and the circumstances remain under investigation. Under city rules, the owner of a dangerous dog must agree to have it euthanized, or a hearing must be held to determine whether the city can order such action.

      As cops investigated what provoked the vicious attack, neighbors described the dog as gentle and said Andrew's parents, Paula and Brian Stein, and his grandmother were very responsible guardians.
      "He's a very sweet, kind dog," said Barbara Bradman, who owns an Animal Fare pet store around the corner from the Steins' apartment building.
      "They've had this dog since he was a puppy. They gave him a lot of love and attention," Bradman said. "This is a horrendous, horrible nightmare." - New York Daily News, January 3, 2008