Category: Dog mauling
Beloved elderly fire department member mauled to death by pack of pit bull-mix dogs; owner charged with murder, animal abuse
An elderly fire department member was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in North Carolina, according to authorities. Now a dog owner has been charged with murder, and the pit bull-mixes involved in the dog attack reportedly have been euthanized.
The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement that deputies were dispatched to a residence around 7:43 p.m. Nov. 18.
‘He was deeply loved, and his absence has left a pain that words cannot fully express.’
Deputies discovered 73-year-old Michael Bodenheimer “lying deceased in the front yard of the residence.”
Police said Bodenheimer had “sustained severe injuries and was beyond the possibility of life-saving intervention.”
“Preliminary findings at the scene indicated that his injuries were consistent with an attack by a large pack of canines,” the sheriff’s office stated.
Officers tracked down a “pack of aggressive canines” at a property nearby, and members of the Davidson County Animal Control captured 17 dogs, identified as “pit bull-mixed breeds.”
The animals were euthanized, and necropsies were conducted.
According to WBTV-TV, officers claimed that 56-year-old owner Elaina Bryant of Thomasville let the dogs run loose at night, and they “lived in feces without food.” Citing the arrest warrant, the station added that the dogs were underweight and had not received vaccinations or veterinary care.
The indictment alleges the dogs were left without fresh water and adequate shelter.
WBTV reported that there was an enclosure “infested with fleas and vermin and covered in excrement.” Authorities alleged that the enclosure had not been cleaned in weeks or months, according to the indictment.
Investigators described the dogs as living in “conditions of squalor and starvation,” the indictment said.
An autopsy conducted on Bodenheimer confirmed that he died as a result of injuries sustained in the brutal dog mauling, according to police.
Detectives determined that Bryant owned the dogs involved in the fatal attack. Citing court documents, the Charlotte Observer reported that Bryant lives about half a mile west of Bodenheimer’s home.
The sheriff’s office investigation concluded that Bryant was “grossly negligent in the care and control of the animals.”
Bryant was arrested Dec. 17, and a Davidson County Grand Jury indicted her on one count of second-degree murder and 17 counts of felony animal abuse, WYMY-TV reported.
Bryant is being detained at the Davidson County Detention Center on a $500,000 secured bond set by a Davidson County Superior Court judge.
Her next court date is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2026, in Davidson County Superior Court.
Bodenheimer’s family said in a statement to WYFF-TV, “Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our father. He was deeply loved, and his absence has left a pain that words cannot fully express.”
The family said that they were aware of the charges filed against Bryant.
“We have full confidence in the legal process and will allow it to move forward without further comment,” the family said.
“Our focus remains on honoring our father’s life, his values, and the love he shared with those around him,” the statement read. “We appreciate the support, prayers, and kindness that have been extended to our family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Bodenheimer’s obituary read, “Mike had a generous spirit and faithfully served his community by volunteering with the Fair Grove Fire Department and Friends Disaster Service.”
The fire department said in a statement:
Mike was a long-time member of the Fair Grove Fire Department serving the Fair Grove community for many years. This particular incident involving one of our own has hit the department pretty hard since several of our current members served with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, as well as our own members.
The investigation is ongoing.
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3 dogs escaped from home and mauled man to death before injuring a mother and daughter, police say
The family of a 62-year-old man is mourning his death after he was mauled by three dogs in Katy, according to Texas police.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office said witnesses reported a man mauled by dogs on Monday before chasing off the animals.
Animal control had no previous history with the dogs.
When EMS personnel arrived at the scene, they pronounced the man dead.
Police then found a mother and a daughter who had also been attacked by the dogs near Permission Creek Lane, according to the public information officer Thomas Gilliland. They were transported to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
Gilliland said the man’s family went looking for him when he didn’t return home from a morning routine walk.
The dogs were described as pit bull mix.
Police were able to find the dogs, and two were taken by animal control, while the third was shot by deputies and euthanized by animal control. They will be quarantined for 10 days, after which a judge will determine their fate.
Animal control had no previous history with the dogs. Gilliland said authorities had not determined how the dogs got out of the home.
The identity of the man was not released by police.
RELATED: 17-year-old girl brutally mauled by pack of dogs — her mom says she was unrecognizable
Homicide detectives interviewed the owner of the dogs.
Charges have not yet been filed.
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Woman faces prison time for bringing dangerous dog to playground that mauled boy for 2 minutes
Prosecutors are requesting that a woman be imprisoned for three years after her dog mauled a 9-year-old boy because of her negligence.
Patrycja Siarek’s dog Capo was under a muzzle order when she brought it to the Little Norway Park in Toronto where dogs are prohibited. The dog had been previously investigated three times for biting incidents by the city of Toronto.
‘I feel horrible, and it’s my fault. I just feel so bad. I’m so sorry, and I hope that child’s OK.’
Siarek allowed the dog to run off without a leash and without a muzzle before Capo attacked a boy who was with his father.
The dog attacked the boy for approximately two minutes before it let go of the boy’s leg.
Video showed the woman rushing away from the park without identifying herself, but police were able to find her through the help of tips from the public.
Siarek pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm and apologized for her behavior.
“I’m just really sorry, I never would want to hurt a child or hurt anybody, I feel horrible, and it’s my fault,” she said in court. “I just feel so bad. I’m so sorry, and I hope that child’s OK. I know it’s my fault Capo died. It’s [a] terrible thing.”
Her attorney argued that there were no children in the area when she arrived and that she had taken off his leash to play fetch when the child approached the enclosure, which had an open door. Siarek also consented to having Capo euthanized.
Assistant Crown Attorney Nathan Kruger asked the court to sentence her to three years in prison and a prohibition against her owning a dog for 10 years.
“It was negligence that resulted in this outcome for the dog. The dog owner’s liability act was to protect the dog. Capo is not legally responsible for his actions. Ms. Siarek was,” said Kruger.
Kruger said that the child had asked his parents if it would have been easier if he had died, after having to face surgery for the injuries sustained.
RELATED: ‘There’s blood everywhere’: Man brutally mauled to death by his own dogs
“She knew Capo was dangerous, knew others considered him dangerous, knew there were legal restrictions on him because he was dangerous, and despite this knowledge, she put members of the public and, indeed, Capo in a very dangerous situation,” he added.
In addition to the restrictions on the dog, Siarek was out on bail for a mischief charge at the time of the attack. She had also been convicted on 15 charges, including fraud, failing to comply peace orders, and obstructing police officers.
The dog was described as similar to a pit bull.
The judge in the case said she would reserve her sentencing decision until next month.
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