Posted on July 5, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Boy Dies After Severe Injuries Inflicted by Family Pit Bull on July Fourth in North Port, Florida

A North Port child violently attacked by a family pit bull on the Fourth of July has died.

Boy Dies After Dog Attack
North Port, FL - A 6-year old boy is dead after sustaining "severe injuries" from a family dog on the Fourth of July. The North Port Police Department (NPPD) responded to a home in the 2700 block of Badger Lane at about 10:30 am on the holiday. The boy was airlifted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, a Level II trauma center, then transferred to Tampa General Hospital, a Level I trauma center. By 3:15 pm Wednesday, the boy had died due to injuries suffered to "the upper torso."

As first responders were en route, audio dispatch log files from Sarasota County Fire state, "6-year old male was bitten in the throat." North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison stated in a press release, "Our hearts are broken for this young child and his family. As a father and pet owner, I know this is one of the worst tragedies you can imagine. We ask that everyone take a few moments to pay respect and reflect on those you care for in your life. Our time here is precious.”

The dog involved, a 3-year old pit bull-mix, was taken into custody by Sarasota County Animal Services, and remains in their custody. At this stage, NPPD officials said investigators are not aware of any previous incidents involving the dog's behavior. Officials also confirmed that the dog lived in the same home as the child since it was a puppy. The case remains "active and ongoing" as of Wednesday afternoon, according to North Port Police spokesperson Josh Taylor.

At least eight Americans have been killed by dogs in the last four weeks. 63% of these deaths involved a pet dog killing a family member. Each of these deaths involved a pit bull or bull breed. The North Port attack appears to have been savage. It was clearly a disproportionate response to whatever event, if any, precipitated the violent attack. This "family pet" repeatedly attacked the child in the stomach, upper torso and neck, if one combines the different media reports.

North Port Police Department

UPDATE: The North Port Police Department continues to investigate the dog bite incident involving a 6-year-old child Tuesday. The boy passed away at Tampa General Hospital as a result of the severe injuries sustained. They included trauma to the upper torso area.

Initially, life-saving measures were performed and the child was flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with extensive traumatic injuries. Once the child was stabilized, he was later flown to Tampa General for additional procedures.

This is an active and ongoing case. At this time, no charges have been filed. The animal involved was taken from the home by Sarasota County Animal Services, where it remains. The 3-year-old dog’s breed is considered a pit bull mix. NPPD is not aware of any previous incidents involving the animal’s behavior.

“Our hearts are broken for this young child and his family. As a father and pet owner, I know this is one of the worst tragedies you can imagine,” said North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison. “We ask that everyone take a few moments to pay respect and reflect on those you care for in your life. Our time here is precious.”

The North Port Police Department will continue to provide support to those impacted by this case. As this is an active and ongoing case, no further details will be released at this time.

EARLIER: The North Port Police Department responded to the 2700 block of Badger Lane in reference to a dog bite involving a 6-year-old child around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. The child was flown to Sarasota Memorial Hospital as a trauma alert. Both the child and the animal reside at the home.

Sarasota County Animal Services has also responded to assist in the handling of the animal.

No further details will be released at this time. More information will be provided when appropriate.

Child is Identified

Late Wednesday, local news outlets began identifying the child as Daylan Guillen. NBC 2 News spoke to people who knew Guillen at the North Port Area Little League. Guillen loved to play baseball. He never wanted to leave the field. “He was just a really sweet, happy-go-lucky kid. Loved to play baseball," said Nicole O’Brien, a secretary for the league. The league has organized a GoFundMe to help the boy's family pay for his extensive medical costs and funeral costs.

The fundraiser states that Guillen was also an organ donor. Doctors "were able to save his kidneys and they will be donated to two other little kids in need," states the fundraiser. "He was flown twice to two different hospitals by helicopter. They did so many procedures to try to save sweet Daylan’s life. The hospitals and doctors were amazing and did the best they could and everything they could to save him but unfortunately there wasn’t anything left to do to save him."

NBC 2 News also captured part of a Ring video that shows people rushing to help the boy moments after the attack. NPPD Spokesperson Josh Taylor added more details too. “The dog was in a bedroom, the child walked into the bedroom to get something," Taylor said. "Next thing you know, people heard screaming and jumped into action.” Some commenters have speculated that the sound of firecrackers triggered the dog, but the attack occurred at 10:30 in the morning.

Daylan Guillen, 6-years old, died after sustaining traumatic injuries from a family pit bull-mix.

The middle pit bull, "Theo" came into the home in November 2019. He is currently 3 years old (the suspect). Left, "Decklyn" is 5 years old. Right, "Carter" is 4 years old and a different breed.

child killed by family pit bull on badger lane

Badger Lane neighborhood where a family pit bull-mix attacked a child on the Fourth of July.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: Florida 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 July 4, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Man, 67, Killed by Daughter's Dogs While Dog Sitting in Johnston County, North Carolina

Anthony Bastardi, 67, was killed Monday while dog sitting for his daughter in Johnston County.

Dogs Had Bitten Earlier
Wilson's Mills, NC - One day before the July 4th holiday, a 67-year old man was killed by a pair of dogs while dog sitting them. The attack occurred around 12:40 pm in the 100 block of Eddleston Court, the Johnston County Sheriff's Office said. When Wilson's Mills police arrived at the scene, both dogs were still actively attacking the man. The responding officer shot and killed both dogs. The dogs, a pet cane corso and a bull terrier, belong to the victim's daughter and son-in-law.

WRLA-TV reports the responding officer found Anthony Gerard Bastardi on the ground in the front yard of the home, where the attack occurred, with "one of the dogs over his head." Bastardi had gone to check on the dogs while the couple was out of town. WTVD reports the cane corso was at least 80 pounds and the bull terrier around 50 pounds. Thus, it was not a mini-bull terrier, but a standard size, which has no height or weight limits, according to the UKC Breed Standard.

According to the JoCo Report, the couple had hired a veterinary hospital employee to care for the dogs while they were out of town. While at the home, the female veterinary hospital employee let both dogs into the fenced-in backyard. That's when the cane corso bit her on the leg. She then retreated back inside the home to safety and notified the pet owners. The family then contacted Bastardi, who was familiar with both dogs, asking for his help. Bastardi arrived at about 12:30 pm.

While in the home alone, Bastardi was attacked by the dogs inside the home. The vicious attack continued after Bastardi exited the front door of the home on Eddleston Court. According to investigators, Bastardi was already dead in the front yard by the time they arrived at 12:40 pm. The timeframe, at least at this stage, indicates that Bastardi was immediately, and fatally, attacked by the pair of dogs just after Bastardi told the hospital employee that it was okay for her to leave.

Pet Sitting Deaths

This man's death marks the fifth fatal attack of a dog sitter this year. In May, Rita Vasquez, 58, was killed while dog sitting her daughter's pit bull-mix in Texas. Also in May, Marion County Deputy Tamieka White, 46, was killed while dog sitting three pit bulls for a friend in Indiana. In April, Dezmond Trawick, 22, was killed while dog sitting four pit bulls for his brother in Minnesota. In March, Kristen Potter, 38, was killed by two great danes she was dog sitting in Pennsylvania.

In each of these cases, the victims were adults, ages 22 to 67-years old. Four of the five deaths involved the dog sitter caring for multiple large dogs at the time. Three of the five deaths involved pit bulls. Bastardi's death also marks another fatal dog mauling in Johnston County, North Carolina since 2021. During the 2021 pandemic year, a pair of family rottweilers killed a baby in Willow Spring, whose parents worked for Wake County law enforcement and Johnston County EMS.

killed while dog sitting johnston county

WRAL-TV obtained images of the dogs when the cane corso was younger (July/2022).

johnston county man killed while do sitting

We were able to locate images of "Rocky" and "Bruno" a tad more recently (Sept/2022).

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bulls Kill Woman and Her Dog, Critically Injure Man in Sierra Vista, Arizona; Dog Owners Charged

Cochise County Dog Owners Convicted of Felony Charges

A pair of pit bulls killed Helene Jackson and critically injured a 53-year old man.

Dog Owners Sentenced
UPDATE 04/17/24: A Cochise County judge sentenced the owners of a pair of pit bulls to seven years of probation and a short jail stint in connection to the fatal pit bull mauling of Helene Jackson in June 2023. Judge Jason Lindstrom described the crime scene-related photos he viewed before the sentencing as "nightmarish" and like a "horror movie." Chief Deputy County Attorney Lori Zucco said during the hearing, "This is one of the most gruesome homicides that has come through our office."

Both Shimira Sanches and Ashlee Sanches, who are married, will serve six months in jail at staggered times, due to a child in their home. Shimira was ordered to start serving her term immediately. In October, Ashlee must self-surrender to the Cochise County Jail to serve her six-month term. The gruesome multi-victim attack left Jackson dead, her dog Lily dead, and Shimira's uncle, who tried to stop the dogs from escaping the property, so damaged that doctors had to amputate his left arm.

Both defendants were convicted of negligent homicide and assault by vicious animal. The maximum jail time Lindstrom could impose was one year for each. Jackson's family hoped that both women would be sentenced to the full two years. In February 2023, the pit bulls had attacked a man and his dog under similar circumstances. In December 2023, Jackson's family served a $7.5 million notice of a claim against the city of Sierra Vista for their negligence in handling the first vicious attack.

"Had the City and ACS Garcia complied with their obligations under City Animal Control Ordinance§ 90.05(8) in February 2023, Thor and Panda would either have been euthanized, or appropriate safeguards required ... The City and its animal control officers ... had a duty to protect citizens such as Helene Jackson from attacks by canines such as Thor and Panda, once the vicious and aggressive nature or such canines becomes known to them." - Michael Jackson, et al., v. City of Sierra Vista, Arizona - Notice of Claim pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-821.01

11/18/23: Plea Hearing Ordered
On September 1, the owners of two pit bulls that killed 84-year old Helene Jackson and her dog, and critically injured 53-year old Sam Sanches, Jr., in Sierra Vista in June pleaded not guilty to multiple felonies in connection to the attacks. In August, Shimira Sanches, 43, and Ashlee Sanches, 35, were charged with felony manslaughter, felony negligent homicide, assault by vicious animals, also a felony, and two aggressive dog violation charges. A plea hearing has since been ordered.

Information released in the plea hearing announcement confirmed that the first victim, Sam, is a relative that was living at the home of Shimira and Ashlee Sanches, who are married. Sam, who is Shimira's uncle, was home alone that day with a young boy and two pit bulls, "Panda" and "Thor." Sam endured horrific injuries, including the amputation of his left arm and skin grafting procedures, while trying to stop one of the dogs from jumping a cinderblock wall as Jackson walked by.

That pit bull proceeded to enter the alley and attack Helene Jackson, who later died, and killed her small dog, Lily. Then the dog returned to its yard and joined the other pit bull that was attacking Sam. Both dogs were fatally shot at the scene by Sierra Vista police officers. Both women were granted permission on Friday by Judge Jason Lindstrom to take part in a confidential settlement conference with a retired judge in an effort to reach a negotiated plea agreement in both cases.

Sam has the right to take part in the hearing, as does Jackson's husband, Mike Jackson, who is considered a victim representative, reports the Herald/Review. Both men have the right to voice their opposition or support on various legal issues, including bail, release conditions, the terms of any plea offer, sentencing recommendations and more. According to the Herald/Review, part of the hearing may focus on the attack the dogs inflicted in February, four months before the multi-victim attack.

At that time, the pair of pit bulls escaped their property and attacked a dog being walked in the area. A Sierra Vista animal control officer took custody of the pit bulls, which were not vaccinated, and placed them into quarantine. Upon release, the officer advised the Sanches' to update their vaccinations. But they never did. Thus, multiple emergency responders in the multi-victim attack had to spend two stressful weeks waiting for lab results to learn if the pit bulls tested positive for rabies.

Escalating Dog-on-Dog Attacks

In a four-month period, "Panda" and "Thor" escalated from escaping their property to attack one dog being walked in the area to escaping their property (again) to attack another dog being walked in the area, killing that dog, Lily, and its owner, Helene Jackson, and nearly killing a person in their own household, Sam Sanches. A single previous dog-on-dog attack by this pair of pit bulls led to a multi-victim attack resulting in a human death, a dog death and a human left with catastrophic injuries.

The injuries inflicted on the dog in the first dog-on-dog attack are unknown. However, it’s clear that the pair pit bulls were not declared "vicious" under Sierra Vista code at that time. The definition of a "vicious animal" under the city code is "any animal that has a propensity to attack, that bites, attempts to bite, endangers, injures or causes an injury to a human being(s) or other animal(s) without provocation, or has been declared so after a hearing by a City Magistrate, or Justice of the Peace."

08/14/23: Pit Bull Owners Charged
After an elderly woman and her pet dog were killed by a pair of pit bulls and a man critically injured by the same dogs in Sierra Vista in June, the dogs' owners are now facing five charges. Shimira and Ashlee Sanches each face charges of felony manslaughter, felony negligent homicide, assault by vicious animals, also a felony, and two aggressive dog violation charges in connection to the death of 84-year old Helene Jackson and the critical injuries of 53-year old Samuel Sanches on June 23.

The multi-victim attack occurred as Jackson and her dog, Lily, were walking in an alley between Meadowlark Drive and Calle Del Norte at about 6:00 pm. It is alleged that one of the pit bulls jumped over the owners' cinderblock wall to attack Jackson and her dog in an alley. Jackson was transported to a local hospital, where she died of her injuries. Lily was discovered dead in the alley. Samuel was seriously injured by a second pit bull belonging to the owners while trying to help Jackson.

The current medical condition of Samuel Sanches is unknown. It is also unknown if he is related to either owner, who share his same last name. We were able to locate two previous pit bulls owned by Shimira on her Facebook page, but not current ones. Online court records show the charges were filed on August 10, and a grand jury summons was issued on August 11. Both will be arraigned on September 5 in the Division IV courtroom with Superior Court Judge Timothy Dickerson.

06/25/23: Dog Kills One, Injures Another
Sierra Vista, AZ - On Friday, at least one pit bull critically injured a 53-year old man and killed an 84-year old woman and her small dog. The Sierra Vista Police Department (SVPD) responded to the 600 block of Calle Del Norte around 6:00 pm after reports of a dog attack in the alley between Calle Del Norte and Meadowlark. When officers arrived, they discovered a dog attacking Sam Sanches Jr., 53, in the backyard of his home. Officers shot and killed that dog to render immediate aid to Sanches.

Officers then found Helene Jackson, 84, mortally wounded in the alley behind the home, "as a second dog returned to the same yard where the first attack occurred," states the release. Officers shot and killed the second pit bull too. Jackson was transported to Canyon Vista Medical Center, where she died of her injuries Friday night. Jackson's own dog was found dead in the alley near where she was located. The three dog carcasses were transported to Sierra Vista Animal Control.

SVPD PRESS RELEASE (June 24, 2023): Dog attack leaves one Sierra Vista resident dead, another seriously injured

On Friday, June 23, the Sierra Vista Police Department responded to the area of Calle Del Norte after a 911 caller reported a dog attack in the alley between Meadowlark Drive and Calle Del Norte.

Officers arrived on the scene and found a dog attacking a male victim in the backyard of a residence on Calle Del Norte. Officers dispatched the dog and provided first aid to the victim until emergency medical assistance arrived. A second female victim was found in the alley behind the residence as a second dog returned to the same yard where the first attack occurred. The second dog was also dispatched by SVPD officers.

Helene Jackson, an 84-year-old Sierra Vista resident, was transported to the Canyon Vista Medical Center where she succumbed to her injuries Friday night. Her dog was found deceased in the alley near where she was located.

Sam Sanches Jr., a 53-year-old Sierra Vista resident, was transported to Banner Medical Center in Tucson where he remains in critical condition from his injuries.

The three deceased dogs were secured by the Sierra Vista Police Department’s Animal Control Office pending further investigation.

This is an active investigation and anyone with information relevant to this incident is asked to contact SVPD Detective Thomas P. Ransford at (520) 452-7500.

On Saturday, the Arizona Daily Independent reported that Jackson and her small dog Lily were taking a stroll in a residential alley when a pit bull "jumped a cinderblock wall-styled fence of a nearby home" and attacked them both, ultimately killing them both. Jackson sustained multiple traumatic injuries to her limbs, neck and face. She died shortly after reaching the hospital. Sanches resides in the home from where the pit bull jumped from, but apparently he is not the dogs' owner.

The role of the second dog, also described by witnesses as a pit bull, in this multi-victim attack is less clear, though police shot and killed it to stop it from entering the backyard, the first attack site. According to neighbors, a dog from the same home was involved in an injury attack earlier this year but it is unknown if that attack was reported to police. The owner(s) of the attacking dogs is apparently cooperating with the investigation being led by SVPD Detective Thomas Ransford.

The approximate location of the fatal dog mauling of Helene Jackson in the alleyway. Sierra Vista Live captured dramatic images of first responders at the scene, as well as the alley.

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

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Colleen Lynn

2023 Dog Bite Fatality: Infant Killed by Pit Bull-Husky Mix, After 'Bite to the Neck,' in Lenawee County, Michigan

An infant was killed by a pet pit bull-husky mix in Madison Charter Township on Monday.

Infant Killed by Dog
Madison Charter Township, MI - On Saturday, it was reported that an infant was killed by a pet dog on June 19 in Lenawee County, according to the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Office. The deadly dog attack occurred in the 1900 block of Harold Street at around 5:00 pm. Audio dispatch log files from Lenawee County Police and Fire, state, "An infant, under 1-years old, dog bite to the neck." The dispatcher also states that they, "request extra manpower" to respond to the attack scene.

The female infant was outside with the dog when the attack occurred, according to the Madison Township Police Department. An adult was also present at the time. The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office said the infant was visiting her grandmother's home when the attack occurred. The sheriff's office said the dog involved, a "pit bull-husky mix," was a pet dog, not a stray dog, and has since been euthanized by a veterinarian. The infant was declared dead before reaching the hospital.

Husky-Inflicted Infant Attacks

Huskies, as we have long recorded on this site, have a very specific pattern of killing newborns, who are only a few days or weeks old. Husky-inflicted infant attacks typically occur indoors and involve the dog biting a sleeping newborn on the head when an adult is not present. The most recent husky deaths include a husky biting a 4-day old infant on the head in Arkansas in 2022, and a pet husky biting a 22-day old sleeping infant on the head multiple times in Georgia in 2019.

What little is known about the Michigan attack is that it occurred outdoors, the baby was visiting the grandmother's home, and the dog bite(s) targeted the infant's neck. All three scenarios are possible but atypical of a husky-inflicted infant attack. It is also unknown how old the infant was -- days, weeks or months. The identity of the infant was not released. The Madison Township Police Dept. is leading the investigation. The Lenawee County Prosecutor’s Office has been notified.

Child's Age Identified

On Monday, more information was provided about the victim and the dog. The infant was 11-months old. Upon arrival of medical personnel, she was transported to ProMedica Hickman Hospital, where she died. Madison Township Police Chief Michael Shadbolt said the dog was a 5-year old pit bull-mix breed and had been a family pet. The "husky" aspect was dropped. We did locate photos of the dog on the grandfather's Facebook page. The dog is predominantly pit bull.

The suspected dog on the grandfather's Facebook page, "Chief," is predominantly pit bull.

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

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Cochise County Dog Owners Convicted of Felony Charges