Introduction
Dog walking has become a popular occupation and small business in recent years. As of 2022, there were an estimated 143,000 professional dog walkers in the United States according to IBISWorld research. The dog walking industry generates about $1 billion annually (https://www.freelancer.co.ke/job-search/dog-walking-industry-statistics/11/). Many dog owners lead busy lives and hire dog walkers to provide exercise and care for their pets. Professional dog walkers offer convenient services like midday walks, puppy visits, overnight care and vacation pet-sitting. Most dog walkers are self-employed or work for a dog walking company.
The Incident
On April 19, 1993, a deadly incident occurred at Mount Carmel Center outside of Waco, Texas. This rural property was being leased by a religious sect called the Branch Davidians (Waco siege – Wikipedia). After a 51-day standoff with federal authorities, the incident culminated in a tear gas attack launched by the FBI and BATF in an attempt to force the Branch Davidians out of the compound.
The Victim
The victim was identified as 71-year-old Angela McKeehan. McKeehan was a dog walker who lived in Clearcreek Township, Ohio and had been working as a professional dog walker for over 16 years according to her online profile. She was known in her local community for her love of dogs and passion for caring for pets. McKeehan had been operating her own dog walking business called “Paws & Play” since 2007 where she provided daily walks, playtime and overnight pet sitting for clients.
According to friends and neighbors, McKeehan was a caring animal lover who treated every dog she cared for as if they were her own. She was described as a friendly, outgoing person who forged close bonds with her clients and their pets over the years. McKeehan lived alone and did not have any children, so her dog walking clients and their pets had become like family to her.
The Dogs
According to police reports, the three dogs involved in the attack were two American Brittany pit bulls, Dahlia and Cerberus, both approximately 8 years old, and one Presa Canario mix, Hades, age 12. Dahlia and Cerberus were owned by Mark Jones, while Hades belonged to his neighbor Susan Davis.
All three dogs, especially the pit bulls, were known in the neighborhood for being aggressive. There had been complaints made over the years about them lunging at people and other pets when walked by their owners. The attack seemed to validate concerns that the dogs were a dangerous threat when loose and able to roam together in a pack.
Pit bulls and Presa Canarios are both breeds with reputations for having strong prey drives and being involved in serious attacks on humans and other animals. While proponents argue that proper training and socialization can prevent aggression in these breeds, their genetic history as fighting dogs means they may have an innate tendency towards violence when provoked or overly excited. The ages of these dogs also meant they were in their prime strength and temperament.
The Owners
The dogs were owned by Nathan Wineland and Amanda Custer, a couple who lived together in a home in Fresno, California. Wineland and Custer owned three dogs – a pit bull terrier named Buddy and two Dogo Argentinos named Petey and Bo.
According to an investigator’s affidavit cited in an article on USDOJ: US Attorney’s Office – District of South Dakota, the owners allowed their dogs to run freely around the neighborhood despite being aware of prior incidents where the dogs had attacked and bitten people. Neighbors had lodged several complaints about the dogs acting aggressively.
After the fatal attack, the owners relinquished ownership of the two Dogo Argentinos to animal control authorities. The pit bull terrier Buddy was euthanized at the recommendation of animal control officials.
Wineland and Custer were not immediately available for comment following the incident. Authorities stated that the owners could potentially face criminal charges depending on the outcome of the investigation.
Investigation
The death of TobyMac’s 21-year-old son, Truett Foster McKeehan, was ruled an accidental overdose according to autopsy results released in January 2020 by the Davidson County Medical Examiner’s office. Truett was found dead at a home in Nashville, Tennessee on October 23, 2019.
The autopsy report stated that Truett died from “acute combined drug intoxication” after ingesting a lethal combination of fentanyl and amphetamines. The report listed his cause of death as “accidental” and also noted that Truett had developed an enlarged heart.
In the wake of Truett’s passing, his family confirmed that he had been battling substance abuse. TobyMac, Truett’s father, had been open about his son’s struggles previously, even referencing it in the song “21 Years” on his 2018 album The Elements. The family said they were shocked by his untimely death and shared that Truett “wanted to one day impact lives through his music.”
The details surrounding how and where Truett obtained the deadly narcotics remain unclear. Authorities did not indicate if any criminal charges or arrests were made related to his accidental overdose. However, the tragic loss of the aspiring young artist prompted an outpouring of support for the McKeehan family and ongoing conversations about the nationwide opioid epidemic.
Response
After the fatal dog attack, authorities took swift action. The sheriff’s office launched an investigation into the incident, collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses to determine exactly what had transpired (source). Animal control officers seized the dogs involved in the attack and euthanized them. According to officials, the dogs were not up to date on vaccinations and displayed aggressive tendencies (source).
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the county strengthened its dangerous dog ordinances, requiring owners of high-risk breeds to take specific precautions, such as muzzling their dogs in public and confining them in secure enclosures (source). Authorities also launched an education campaign to inform the public about safely interacting with unfamiliar dogs and recognizing signs of aggression.
The victim’s family called for stricter accountability for irresponsible dog owners who fail to restrain aggressive pets. They advocated for legislation to implement stronger penalties in cases of fatal dog attacks (source). The incident underscored the importance of responsible dog ownership and pet training to prevent future tragedies.
Precedents
Other similar fatal dog attacks.
Fatal dog attacks involving multiple dogs are uncommon but have happened before. In 2021, a 71-year-old Texas man was killed by a pack of dogs while taking a morning walk (Source: https://worldanimalfoundation.org/advocate/dog-bite-statistics/). In 2020, a newborn baby in South Africa was dragged from her crib and mauled to death by the family’s two pit bulls (Source: https://www.shouselaw.com/ca/blog/dog-attack-statistics-by-breed/). There have also been other cases around the world of human fatalities resulting from multi-dog attacks involving breeds like Rottweilers, huskies and German shepherds.
While rare, these tragic precedents show the potential danger when multiple dogs are left unattended around humans. Proper training, confinement and supervision of dogs, especially powerful breeds, is critical to prevent such incidents.
Prevention
There are several ways to help prevent similar fatal dog attacks from occurring in the future. Responsible pet ownership and proper training and socialization of dogs are key. Owners should make sure their dogs are properly supervised, especially around children or strangers. Dogs should not be chained outside unattended for long periods of time. Proper fencing, gates, and enclosures can help contain dogs safely on the owner’s property.
Stricter regulations around dangerous dog breeds and dogs with a history of aggression can also help prevent attacks. Requirements for special licenses, muzzles in public, and mandatory spay/neuter for certain breeds may be implemented. Community education and resources for proper pet training are also beneficial.
Organizations like the ASPCA provide tips for preventing dog aggression. The CDC has resources on dog bite prevention. Following expert guidance can reduce the risk of dog attacks.
Conclusion
The death of 21-year-old Truett McKeehan from an accidental drug overdose is a tragic loss that deeply impacted his family and the Christian hip hop community. As the son of famous Christian rapper TobyMac, McKeehan’s passing drew significant media attention and outpouring of grief from fans. The key takeaways from this case underscore the devastating effects of the opioid crisis, which does not discriminate based on fame or demographics. McKeehan’s story is a cautionary tale illustrating how experimentation with recreational drugs can lead to accidental fatal overdoses. His death inspired many difficult but important conversations about addiction, mental health struggles, and the need for improved access to support and treatment, especially among youth. While the loss of this promising young artist was heartbreaking, his legacy lives on through his music and the work of his family to promote drug abuse awareness and prevention.