Posted on December 16, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: East Texas Man Mauled, Killed by Two Pit Bulls in Beaumont

A 78-year old East Texas man was killed by two at large pit bulls outside his Beaumont home.

Man Killed by Dogs
Beaumont, TX - A man is dead after being mauled by two pit bulls on Monday. Just before 11:00 am, Beaumont police were dispatched to a residence in the 1400 block of Orange Avenue regarding a welfare check for a man who was bleeding after a vicious dog attack. He was transported to a local hospital, where he died, police said. The dogs involved were two pit bulls, according to police. Both dogs were captured after being tranquilized, according to Viviana Lopez of Beaumont Animal Care.

KBTV-TV captured images of the dogs inside the Beaumont Animal Care facility. One is clearly a female. The gender of the other dog is not known. The name of the victim is currently being withheld until next of kin have been notified. The age of the victim has not been released. It is not known if the dogs belonged to the man. Detectives and animal control officers are actively investigating the man's death. Butterflies and wind chimes were seen hanging from the front porch of the residence.

KBMT went to the scene and captured images of police detectives and animal control officers taking photographs in the backyard of the home. The tranquilizer gun was also seen being held by an officer in the backyard of the home. Life-size pop up Christmas statues of Santa and Snowman were seen in the front yard of the home. A neighbor told the media outlet, "the dogs are always on loose" in the neighborhood. It's not know if the pair of pit bulls have a history of previous bites or aggression.

Mauling Victim Identified

On Tuesday, the victim was identified as 78-year old Hector Pierna, who lived on Orange Avenue. When police arrived at the scene, they found Pierna suffering from dog bites. He was transported to CHRISTUS St. Elizabeth Hospital where he died. Two pit bulls were responsible for the attack. Police located one of the dogs hiding underneath a home -- that dog was tranquilized. The second pit bull was also found and also tranquilized. Both were taken into custody by Beaumont Animal Care.

A message from Officer Carol Hettinger with Beaumont Animal Care indicates the pit bulls were running loose and did not belong to the victim. "Please, immediately call the minute you see something running loose, so that we can try to take care of stuff before these kinds of things happen," Hettinger said. "It's an unfortunate incident and I just wish we could've taken care of it, prevented it from happening before it happened." No information about the suspected dog owner was released.

GoFundMe Established

A family member created a fundraiser to help with his funeral costs. She writes that "our beloved 78- year old uncle ... Hector Pierna, was viciously attacked and killed by two pit bulls." He was attacked while walking home. "These pit bulls were running lose in the streets as my uncle was walking home. This was a senseless, vicious crime that could have been prevented by the dog owners." The holidays, she writes, "will never be the same for his kids that are left behind with no living parents."

East Texas man killed by two pit bulls in beaumont

The captured pit bulls seen at the Beaumont Animal Care facility after the fatal dog mauling.

Hector Pierna was killed by two pit bulls

Hector Pierna, 78, was killed by two pit bulls on December 16, 2024 in Beaumont, Texas.

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

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 December 14, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Man Killed by His XL Bullies in Mesa Viking Park in San Diego

Pedro Ortega, 26-years old, was killed by his three XL bullies in Mesa Viking Park in San Diego.

Killed by XL Bullies
San Diego, CA - A Mira Mesa man is dead after being mauled by his XL bullies in a neighborhood park. After a 911 call reporting a dog attack, police were dispatched to a children's playground in Mesa Viking Park in the 11200 block of Westonhill Drive. Officers used a Taser to stop the attack. The man had been with his own child, who was unharmed. Bystanders intervened by hitting the dogs with shovels and a golf club, which were found at the scene, along with torn clothing and a shoe.

The park is located next to Ericson Elementary School. Police quickly captured two of the dogs, but a third remained at large, causing police to lockdown the school. Police later found the third dog at the owner's home, which is close to the park. NBC San Diego reports that one of the bystanders who intervened was also attacked by the dogs. Both victims were taken to Scripps Memorial Hospital, where the dog owner was pronounced dead at 4:45 pm. The status of the second victim is unknown.

Neighbor Steve Marto captured photos of the dogs while police were at the scene. "They were big. I guess they call them XL bullies. They are just like massive muscle," Marto said. His son, Stewart Marto, said, "I don't understand why someone would want to have three dogs that size. You're just looking for a problem in my opinion." All three dogs were confiscated by the San Diego Humane Society and placed into bite quarantine. The dog owner's young son is now with his mother, police said.

The Martos also spoke to 10News. "You don't really have stuff like this that happens here... Like somebody's face got mangled at this park. An hour from now this park can be filled with kids coming out of that school. It's sad that that could've happened to little kids -- the elementary school's right here," Stewart said. Like his father, he also described the XL bullies as massive. "These dogs were freakin' huge. They were probably close to 120 to 150 pound dogs," Stewart told NBC San Diego.

Victim Identified

On Monday, the victim was identified as 26-year old Pedro Luis Ortega. He was with his son on the playground when his three XL bullies attacked him. Arriving police officers Tased the dogs, causing them to flee. One entered into a nearby garage. The homeowner, Kevin Pratt, said the dog was blood-soaked. "He was covered in blood, head to toe. So, it was probably not his own, and he had a taser dart sticking out of him," Pratt said. Images of the dog were captured on his surveillance camera.

That dog was later secured in a vehicle near the park. The other two dogs eluded authorities but were eventually captured. A Good Samaritan who tried to help Ortega by beating the dogs with a golf club sustained serious injuries. He was transported to a hospital, where he continues to recover. All three dogs were initially placed into bite quarantine then humanely euthanized after being surrendered by their co-owner. A memorial where the fatal dog mauling occurred says, "RIP P.O. We Love You."

XL bullies kill owner in Mesa Viking Park

The same XL bully is seen standing in a garage with a taser dart sticking out of its neck.

At least one XL bully being confiscated at Mesa Viking Park after the fatal dog mauling.

Torn clothing, a shoe and broken golf club seen at the Mesa Viking Park dog attack scene.

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

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Family Rottweilers Kill 5-Year Old Girl in Backyard of Mansion in Covina

On Sunday, a pair of family rottweilers killed a 5-year old girl in the backyard of a mansion in Covina.

Dogs Kill Child
Covina, CA - A 5-year old girl is dead after being attacked by two rottweilers. Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 2500 block of Palomino Drive in the gated community of Les Maisons around noon on Sunday. Deputies discovered the child had been attacked by the dogs in the backyard. Footage from KABC show a pair of shoes and bits of clothing strewn in the yard. Paramedics transported the child to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 1:23 pm.

Authorities said she sustained injuries to her head and torso while her father tried to protect her from the dogs. Four dogs resided at the home. Investigators said that two dogs -- a 10-year old rottweiler and a 6-year old rottweiler-weimaraner mix -- were responsible for the attack. All four dogs were confiscated by county animal control officers. Investigators said the child had lived with the dogs in the home all of her life with no prior incidents. One other family member sustained minor injuries.

Child Fell Before Attack

The Press-Telegram reports the girl's father, divorced from her mother, lives at the home. Police said the girl and the father were in the backyard, along with four family dogs, which includes a 10-year old weimaraner and a 4-year old doberman. "She fell. They (the rottweiler and rottweiler-weimaraner mix) immediately started attacking her," sheriff’s Lt. Steve De Jong said. The father dove on top of her, "trying to protect her and shield her from the dogs," he said. The other two dogs were not involved.

The child was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, where she died. The medical examiner's office has since identified the child as Amelia Yu. Christopher Valles, a spokesperson for Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control, said his agency had never been to the property on Palomino Drive prior to the fatal attack. All four dogs will be held in quarantine for 10 days. Afterward, a hearing may be held if the owner wants any of the dogs back, Valles said.

Fund & Clarifications

A GoFundMe for the child's funeral costs has raised over $24,000. "This is Amelia Yu, 5 years old, and the last photos taken before her accident," states a note from her father. The beautiful child is seen holding a cat in her arms. "She was a kind and lovely girl who loves animals, dancing, music, and snowboarding," her father wrote. We became aware of the GoFundMe when two media sources began reporting different facts about her death, primarily, that her father did not own the four dogs.

At the time of the fatal mauling, her father was renting a room at the property. The dogs were owned by a different family, according to Christopher Valles, a spokesperson for Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control. During the attack, all four dogs were in the backyard. It is now reported that three dogs were involved, not two. The added dog was a female Doberman. The other two dogs involved were male: a rottweiler and a rottweiler-weimaraner mix. All four dogs are spayed or neutered.

Reportedly, the child visited her father every other weekend. She had previous interactions with the dogs and was known by them. But that is quite different than what police initially reported, which was, "The child had been around the dogs her entire life," sheriff's Lt. Steven De Jong said. Further, Ann Evans, a neighbor, told KABC that her husband encountered the dogs on their property. He informed the homeowner, who leases the property. Evans said the dog owners had moved in over the summer.

Two large dogs seen being taken away from a mansion in Covina after the fatal dog attack.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: U.S. Fatal Rottweiler Attacks By State

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Family Dogs Kill 8-Year Old Boy Over the Holiday Weekend in Onslow County, North Carolina

Family dogs killed an 8-year old boy in Onslow County over the holiday weekend.

Suffered Neck Bites
Jacksonville, NC - On Monday, the Onslow County Sheriff's Office issued a press release about a child killed by two family dogs over the holiday weekend. On November 29, 2024, at 2:54 pm, deputies responded to a 911 call to Harris Creek Road regarding a dog attacking a minor, states the release. Arriving deputies found the boy, who had sustained "bite marks on the neck." Life-saving measures were performed before transporting the boy to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, where he died.

Investigators said the child and a sibling were letting the dogs out of the home to use the bathroom when the attack occurred. The two dogs were identified as pit bull-great dane mixes. "Family members of the victim stated the dogs did not show signs of aggressive behaviors prior to the attack," states the release. The dogs were not known to Onslow County Animal Control or area law enforcement prior to the fatal mauling. Both canines were secured by animal control and are being held in quarantine.

FATAL DOG ATTACK TRAGICALLY CLAIMS LIFE OF MINOR
Onslow County – It is with profound sadness that the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office reports the death of a minor following a fatal dog attack in Jacksonville last week.
On Friday, November 29, 2024, at 2:54 p.m., deputies responded to a 911 call to Harris Creek Road in Jacksonville regarding a dog attacking a minor.

When deputies arrived, they found an 8-year-old boy suffering from bite marks on the neck. Emergency Medical Services performed life-saving measures on the scene before transferring the child to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune. Despite swift actions by first responders, the child succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.

Investigators determined the child and a sibling were letting the dogs out of the residence to use the bathroom when the attack occurred. Family members of the victim stated the dogs did not show signs of aggressive behaviors prior to the attack. Neither law enforcement nor Onslow County Animal Control has experienced interactions with the dogs prior to the incident.

The dogs were identified as a Pit Bull/Great Dane mix. Both dogs were secured and have been quarantined by animal control.

“This is an unimaginable tragedy for the family and our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this incredibly difficult time,” said Sheriff Chris Thomas.

The case remains an open investigation and additional information will be released as the investigation allows.

We urge residents to remain vigilant and ensure the safety of their families and pets. - Onslow County Sheriff's Office, Dec. 2, 2024

GoFundMe Created for "Caleb"

We were notified over the weekend about two GoFundMe campaigns created for the child victim identified as Caleb. One does not mention the dog attack, "Caleb (8) was a son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and the sweetest friend. He was a light in this world, and if you knew him, you were lucky." This fund has raised over $15,000 as of Sunday. The other campaign, created by the boy's uncle, states that Caleb died "unexpectedly to a dog attack." This fund has raised under $1,000.

The funds helped us identify the child's parents on social media. We were able to obtain an image of one of the "pit bull-great dane" mixes. On September 26, 2024, the child's stepmother posted to the Jacksonville NC, Lost and Found Pets Facebook group that her "pit bull Xena" (she did not identify the dog as a "pit bull-great dane" mix) had "run off" again. One commenter even asked, "Is this an old post or did she get loose again?" Xena had gotten loose again. The sex of the other dog is unknown.

family dogs kill boy onslow county, north carolina

One of the family's pit bulls had bolted from the home multiple times before the fatal attack.

family dogs kill 8-year old boy onslow county

The day after Thanksgiving Day, two family dogs killed 8-year old Caleb Brown outside of a residence on Harris Creek Road in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina.

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

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