Introduction
In November 2022, a tragic fatal dog mauling incident occurred in Taylorsville, Utah. A 63-year-old woman, identified as Angela Johnson, was attacked by multiple dogs owned by her son while in their backyard. The vicious mauling resulted in severe injuries for Johnson, who sadly passed away days later at the hospital. The incident drew significant attention in the Taylorsville community and beyond, raising concerns over dog aggression and ownership responsibilities.
The Victim
The victim was 28-year-old Natasha Johnston, a dog walker who lived in Surrey, England. Johnston worked for a dog walking company called The Little Bull, which provides services like dog boarding, training, and walking in the area. She was described by her employers as a caring, bubbly person who loved animals.
Johnston was young, only 28 years old when the fatal attack occurred. She had her whole life ahead of her and a career working with animals, something she was clearly passionate about based on her employer’s kind words about her love for dogs.
According to an article on Daily Mail, Johnston was “mauled to death by a pack of out of control ‘XL Bully’ dogs.” https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12094705/Woman-28-mauled-death-pack-dogs-killed-American-Bully-XL.html
The Attack
The fatal dog mauling of 31-year-old Joanne Delaughter occurred on June 9th, 2022 in her home on Lakeview Avenue in Walker County, Alabama. According to local police, Delaughter was attacked by her two pet dogs, a mixed-breed pit bull terrier and a mixed-breed bull mastiff, in the backyard of her home.
Neighbors reported hearing cries for help around 4:30 PM, and when police arrived on the scene they found Delaughter deceased in the backyard with extensive injuries caused by the dogs. Investigators determined that the attack lasted approximately 15-20 minutes before help arrived.
Walker County Coroner Joey Vick confirmed that Delaughter died from blunt force trauma caused by repeated bites from the dogs. The attack caused “massive blood loss” and injuries too severe for emergency responders to treat.
The Dogs
The two dogs involved in the fatal attack were identified as cane corsos, a large mastiff-type breed originally developed in Italy to work as guard dogs and hunt big game like wild boar (CBS News). Cane corsos can weigh up to 110 pounds and are considered a potentially dangerous breed due to their size, strength and protective instincts.
The dogs, named Stella and Ruby, belonged to a neighbor but were often let loose to roam the area according to other residents (CBS News). There were no prior documented incidents involving Stella and Ruby attacking people, but neighbors said the dogs were menacing and known to terrorize the neighborhood.
“They were always loose, they would chase people and other dogs,” said resident Patricia Brooks. Other neighbors said they carried sticks and Mace when walking in order to fend off Stella and Ruby.
Emergency Response
Police officers and paramedics rushed to the scene after receiving a 911 call reporting the attack. Upon arrival, they found the victim with severe injuries from the dog mauling. According to reports from WSVN, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews. The violent attack left the man with extensive bite wounds and lacerations over his body. Paramedics transported the victim’s body to the Medical Examiner’s office to determine the official cause of death.
Criminal Investigation
The Miami-Dade Police Department is leading the criminal investigation into the dog mauling death. Officers responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call reporting the attack (Local 10).
No criminal charges have been filed yet as the investigation is still ongoing. Police will look into whether there were any violations of laws related to dangerous or aggressive dogs. There are regulations in many jurisdictions about properly restraining, confining and controlling dangerous breeds to prevent attacks on people or other animals.
If negligence is found on the part of the dog’s owner for failing to properly contain or control the animal, they could potentially face criminal charges such as involuntary manslaughter. The specific charges would depend on the exact circumstances and local laws.
Expert Analysis
Dog experts have weighed in on what may have caused this tragic attack. Animal behaviorist Jim Crosby stated, “I do not believe the dogs were ‘hungry’ in the sense of having been denied food…It is unlikely we will ever know what truly triggered this attack” (Dog Expert Reacts to Virginia Woman’s Mauling Death). Crosby suggests that maybe the dogs perceived Stephens as injured or weak, triggering their predatory instincts.
Dog behavior consultant and expert witness Jim Moore also provided insight, noting that “Dogs have complex motivations for their behavior, but predatory aggression can be brought out in some dogs when there is prey present that is wounded or compromised in some way” (San Francisco dog mauling | Animal behavior expert opinion). While we may never fully understand what caused this tragedy, experts agree it was likely predatory aggression, not hunger, that triggered the attack.
Community Impact
The local community of Newton County has come together to mourn the tragic death of 47-year-old Sierra Vista resident Anthony Riggs, who was mauled by dogs while taking a walk in his neighborhood. A memorial with flowers and photos was started near the location of the attack by neighbors wishing to pay their respects.
“It’s just heartbreaking what happened,” said Katie Rhodes, a neighbor who brought flowers to the memorial. “Tony was such a friendly face in our community. He didn’t deserve this.”
Many in the tight-knit community were shocked by the brutal nature of the attack. “I still can’t believe it,” said Tom Wilson, owner of a nearby coffee shop. “This is the kind of thing you only hear about happening somewhere far away, not here.”
In the aftermath of the attack, there has been an outpouring of sympathy for Riggs’ family and loved ones. “Everyone knew Tony around here,” said Beth Rogers, a lifelong resident. “We’re all mourning this loss and sending our deepest condolences to his family.”
The Newton County Sheriff’s office says they have been inundated with calls from concerned community members following the fatal dog mauling. Sheriff Daniels stated, “Our community is understandably on edge about aggressive dogs right now. We are stepping up patrols and animal control enforcement to help prevent another tragedy like this.”
For many Newton County residents, the shock still hasn’t worn off. But the community support and memorials have helped bring people together to process this grief. As one neighbor poignantly put it, “This is an unimaginable tragedy, but we will get through it together.”
Preventing Future Attacks
Regulations regarding dangerous dogs vary by location, but most municipalities have laws requiring owners of dogs deemed dangerous to adhere to certain rules like leashing, muzzling, confinement, special licensing, mandatory spay/neuter, etc. However, the most effective way to prevent tragic attacks is through education and responsible dog ownership.
The CDC recommends taking preventative measures like neutering dogs, properly socializing and training them, and supervising interactions with children (Dog bite prevention – AVMA). It’s also important to avoid escalating situations by yelling, running, or making sudden movements, and to not approach unfamiliar dogs (Staying Safe from Dogs – How to Avoid a Dog Attack). Responsible supervision and control of one’s dog at all times can go a long way towards prevention.
While regulations are necessary for confirmed dangerous dogs, education and voluntary preventative measures by owners are the best hope for avoiding tragedies. With compassion for all involved, including the dogs, communities can find ways to promote safety and care.
Conclusion
In summary, this tragic incident resulting in the death of an innocent woman has shaken the community. While the details surrounding the mauling remain under investigation, we must not lose sight of the profound loss of life.
Tragedies like this should give us pause. We must respond with wisdom, compassion for the victim and her loved ones, and a renewed sense of responsibility regarding the animals in our care. If any good can come from this, let it be preventing such senseless attacks in the future through education and vigilance.
Our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time. Though nothing can undo this terrible event, may we unite as a community to prevent it from ever happening again.