Tragic news has emerged from the state of Florida as a 69-year-old mom was mauled to death by a pack of dogs on Sunday, August 21. Holmes County resident Shirley Johnson was found dead in Gritney, Florida, over the weekend.
Johnson suffered a horrible death as a medical examiner ruled that she had been bitten over 100 times by the group of dogs. Sheriff John Tate told WJHG that the victim was walking home from her son's house on Saturday evening when the three dogs suddenly attacked her.
A passerby reportedly found Johnson around 24 hours later, with bite marks all over her body. The dogs that officials believe were responsible for the vicious attack on Johnson have all been euthanized.
Neighbors say the group of dogs had a history of aggressive behavior
The breed of the dogs that were euthanized had not been revealed. No charges were filed on the owners of the dogs as there is no hard evidence linking their pets to the fatal attack. Neighbors did say, however, that the three dogs had a history of aggressive behavior.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 4.5 million people in the United States find themselves bitten by a dog each year, and over 800,000 people need medical attention for their respective bite injuries. Last month, a 70-year-old woman was fatally attacked in her own backyard in Long Island, New York, by a pit bull, as reported by Newsweek.
In a press release, Nassau County Police Department wrote that officers entered the woman's yard and attempted to aid her while she was viciously attacked. The police were thwarted, though, as a seven-year-old pit bull aggressively attacked them when they entered the yard.
The Florida native succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Cops said an officer fatally shot the pit bull, who belonged to the woman's stepson.
An 89-year-old grandma was also mauled to death by another pit bull in Nevada on August 9. The dog belonged to the victim's grandson, who said in an interview that there was no mean bone in his pet's body and that the pit bull loved grandma.
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Most dog bites can be prevented
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, most dog bites are preventable if owners follow several key steps with their pets. Owners should socialize their dog by introducing them to people and other animals when it is still a puppy. This will help the dog feel more at ease when around people as it gets older.
Owners should also use a leash in public to ensure they can control their dog should it become suddenly aggressive. They should also educate their children about how and whether to approach a dog.
