Leesburg police identify woman mauled to death by her dog

^{Ryan Gillespie – Contact Reporter – Orlando Sentinel – (4/1/16)}

Leesburg police today identified the woman they believed was mauled by her own dog Thursday night as Sonda Tyson, a 66-year-old grandmother.

Tyson was found by her granddaughter and daughter-in-law lying in a pool of blood on the back porch of her Leesburg residence, a police death report states. Her arms had “significant damage” and were missing flesh.

Her daughter-in-law, Amber Fletcher, called 911 and told dispatchers she was still breathing. Loud barking is heard in the background of the call.

“She’s bleeding everywhere, I don’t know. Her bones are showing…” Fletcher told dispatchers. “You can actually see the bones in her arms. Oh my god…She has a bigger dog, so I don’t know if her dog bit her.”

When first-responders arrived, a large, mixed-breed dog was trying to push its way out to the back porch and appeared “vicious,” records show. The dog’s coat was stained with blood around its head and neck, and paramedics retreated from the porch.

From the top of a fire truck, a police officer fired one shot from his rifle, striking the dog. A few minutes later, officials heard it moving around in the home, and another shot was fired, killing the dog, the report states. Health Department officials will be performing a necropsy, which could show if the dog was diseased, police said.

Fletcher told authorities she had left the residence earlier in the day to pick her daughter up from school. When they arrived back at the Leesburg home, the 13-year-old went running to see her grandmother on the back porch and began screaming when saw her badly injured on the ground, records show.

Officials suspect that Tyson died from blood loss.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-leesburg-dog-mauling-sonda-tyson-dead-20160401-story.html

Florida woman attacked and killed by her own dog

^{By Greg Fox (4/2/16)}

(WESH/CNN) — Police believe a Central Florida woman was attacked and killed by her own dog.

“She’s bleeding everywhere, I don’t know. She fell over, looks like she fell over a chair.”

That’s Sonda Tyson’s daughter-in-law calling 911. At first, she doesn’t realize Tyson has been attacked by her own dog.

After the 911 dispatcher asks her if it appears that Tyson fell, the daughter-in-law says “Um, I don’t know. She has a bigger dog, so I don’t know if like her dog bit her, or I, I don’t know.”

According to the police report, a “large brindle pit bull mix dog” was in the home when rescue teams arrived.

Leesburg police said that when paramedics tried to work on the victim on the back porch of the home, the dog was still nearby and acting viciously and was covered with blood.

And so police were called in to euthanize it. “There was absolutely a public safety concern to any and all that were on that scene,” said Lt. Joe Iozzi.

The police report went on to say that the “dog would not let EMS personnel approach the victim” and they noticed it had “blood on his coat, especially around his head and neck.”

A search team was sent into the home and the dog was found and fatally shot, but it was too late to save Tyson.

Animal services is examining the dog, which the woman owned since it was a puppy, to see if it had some illness that may have triggered the attack.

Animal control records show the dog had been responsible for prior attacks — in 2008, the dog attacked a woman riding a bike, and in 2012, the dog bit a child on the face.

Florida woman attacked and killed by her own dog

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‘She’s bleeding everywhere. Her bones are showing’: Stomach-turning 911 call of woman who found her mother-in-law, 66, mauled to death by her pit bull mix

• Sonda Tyson, 66, was found mauled to death Thursday night at her home in Leesburg, Florida
• The woman’s dog was acting viciously at the scene, and was coated in blood, so police shot the dog dead
• Family said that Tyson had raised the dog since it was a puppy 
• Lt Joe Iozzi said it was ‘concerning’ the dog suddenly turned on its owner
• The Health Department will be conducting a necropsy to see if the dog suffered from a condition that would cause it to snap  

^{By Dailymail.com Reporter – PUBLISHED: 16:38 EST, 1 April 2016 | UPDATED: 15:22 EST, 6 April 2016}

A 66-year-old woman was mauled to death by the pitbull-mix dog she raised since it was a puppy last week, baffling her family and authorities.

Sonda Tyson was found bleeding out on the back porch of her home in Leesburg, Florida, Thursday night by her daughter-in-law and 13-year-old granddaughter.

Daughter-in-law Amber Fletcher left the home that afternoon to pick up her daughter from school.

When they returned, the granddaughter ran to see her grandmother, but found her lying in a pool of blood outside the back door of the home and she began screaming. 

In audio from Fletcher’s call to police, the dog is heard barking in the background as Fletcher describes the gory scene to dispatchers.

‘She’s bleeding everywhere, I don’t know. Her bones are showing…’ Fletcher told dispatchers. ‘You can actually see the bones in her arms. Oh my god…She has a bigger dog, so I don’t know if her dog bit her.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3519229/Police-shoot-bloody-dog-blocking-door-womans-home.html

2016 Dog Bite Fatality: Woman Mauled to Death by Her Pit Bull-Mix in Leesburg, Florida

^{DogsBite.org reports}

Grandparents and Senior Citizens

To our readers who are grandparents or senior citizens, please do not ever accept a recognized dangerous breed from one of your children who makes a similar claim, “for protection.” You see how it worked in this case? There have been other cases like this too, including senior citizens killed by their own “trained” attack dog. Tyson already had three dogs in her household, each capable of barking and scaring away potential intruders who already dislike homes with dogs.

This 66-year old woman suffered a horrific death at the jaws of a 100 pound pit bull-bullmastiff mix. This is an animal that Tyson never could have controlled. She never could have stopped it from attacking a postal carrier or a person walking down the street or from a child or friend visiting her home. She obviously could not stop the dog from attacking herself either. There was absolutely no reason for Tyson to ever have a dangerous animal like this and she paid the highest price of all.

Read more: https://blog.dogsbite.org/2016/04/2016-dog-bite-woman-kiiled-by-own-dog-leesburg.html

American Pit Bull Terrier

Pit Bull Terriers need regular vigorous physical activity. They crave mental and physical stimulation. Regular long walks and plenty of play time can be ideal ways to burn energy. If their exercise needs are not met, they can develop destructive behaviors. They can often excel at physical activities, such as jogging and weight pulling. Some clubs admit them to agility and fly ball; others don’t because it is dangerous to have APBTs off leash near other dogs and the clubs don’t want to bear the liability in the event of an attack.

The American Pit Bull Terrier needs early socialization and training. Since they are active dogs, they can become unmanageable quickly. They need a firm and consistent handler that can maintain control at all times. They are eager to please and can learn tricks if trained patiently. They are very active both indoors and outdoors. Despite proper training and socialization, many dogs may be hard to manage and can still have unwanted behaviors.

The American Pit Bull Terrier has a history and bloodline deep rooted in the blood sports of animal baiting and dogfighting. As with all breeds, they retain their original traits. They often to do not accept other animals, especially dogs, and can be extremely aggressive towards them. They may accept animals they are raised with, but have been known to kill other family pets even after years of living together happily.

Learn more about the American Pit Bull Terrier

Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff originates from England and is a cross of the English Mastiff and the Olde English Bulldog (this is not the wheezing, waddling Winston Churchill Bulldog, but the original, agile bear-baiting / pit-fighting bulldog). Bull Mastiffs are approximately 60% English Mastiff and 40% Olde English Bulldog and were recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1924. They were not recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1933. It is required that three generations of Mastiff – fighting bulldog mixes be registered as purebreds before a dog could enter to be judged. They were known for size, strength, and loyalty.  The lineage of the Bull Mastiff can be traced back as early as 1795.  These canines were originally bred to be gamekeepers and to guard the estates of their owners. Mastiffs could easily track and hold poachers on the property. They were used to guard diamonds for the “Diamond Society of South Africa”. Today they still used as guard and attack dogs and as companion animals.

Learn more about the Bullmastiff

Why Do We Call Them Pit Bull Type Dogs?

The arms race

Most lately we’ve seen a modern arms race in circles that favor this type of inherently dangerous dog, leading to the mixing of ever more local mastiff types with fighting bulldog / pit bull types. The fans of the new mix then apply to kennel clubs to have their own pit bull – mastiff mix recognized as a new ‘breed’. It’s this arms race, with its greed for cash, that has given us the many pit bull mixes people are now pretending are a separate mastiff ‘breed’: the ‘Cane Corso’, ‘Dogo Argentino’, ‘Dogue de Bordeaux’, ‘Bullmastiff’, to name a few.

The instant a kennel club dispenses a new official name for such a mix, the mix’s fans start to claim that their ‘breed’ is distinct. Suddenly the newest pit fighting bulldog – mastiff mix is a ‘breed’ that has nothing to do with any other pit bull, mastiff, or pit bull – mastiff mix, as if the new mix’s genes materialized out of thin air.

In fact, these pit bull – mastiff mixes are pit bull type dogs, no less than any other backyard-bred pit bull mix.

Read more: https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/why-do-we-call-them-pit-bull-type-dogs/

Tyler Trammell-Huston (9) – Linda, CA – Killed By Sister’s 3 Pit Bulls After She Left Him Alone With The Dogs (1/3/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/01/tyler-trammell-huston-fatal-pit-bull-attack-linda-ca/

Payton Sawyers (1) – Independence, VA – Killed By Pit Bull-Mix While Under Care Of Babysitters (1/8/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/01/payton-sawyers-independence-virginia-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Talen Nathan West (7) – Lumberton, NC – Killed By Neighbor’s Pit Bull While Playing In The Woods With His Brother (1/24/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/01/talen-nathan-west-lumberton-north-carolina-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Aiden Grim-Morelli (3 days) – Youngstown, OH – Killed By Family “Mix-breed Shepherd” When Left In A Laundry Basket (2/8/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/02/aiden-grim-morelli-youngstown-ohio-shepherd-death/

Suzanne Story (36) – Hertford, NC – Killed By A Pit Bull-Mix She Adopted 2 Weeks Earlier (2/10/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/02/suzanne-story-hertford-north-carolina-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Gladys Alexander (92) – Olympia, WA – Killed By Her Neighbor’s 4 Pit Bull-Mixes While Delivering Newspaper (3/8/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/03/gladys-alexander-olympia-wa-pit-bull-mix-fatal-dog-attack/

Bessie Flowers (86) – Charlotte, NC – Killed By Her Daughter’s 2 Pit Bulls While Visiting (3/28/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/03/bessie-flowers-charlotte-north-carolina-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Sonda Dyan Tyson (66) – Leesburg, FL – Killed By Her Own Pit Bull-Bullmastiff mix (3/31/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/03/sonda-dyan-tyson-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Valente Lopez Aguirre (58) – Fresno County, CA – Killed By Pack Of Dogs (4/14/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/04/valente-lopez-aguirre-fresno-county-ca-robert-simonian/

Sebastian Caban (3 days) – San Diego, CA – Killed By The Family Pit Bull-Mix While Lying In Bed With His Parents (4/21/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/04/sebastian-caban-san-diego-ca-fatal-pit-bull-attack-mira-mesa/

Manuel Mejia (49) – Homestead, FL – Killed By 1 Pit Bull Type & 9 Belgium Malinois-Bulldog Mixes While Farming (4/24/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/04/manuel-mejia-homestead-florida-fatal-dog-attack-2016/

Adonis Reddick (45) – St. Louis County, MO – Killed By His Own Pit Bull (5/9/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/05/adonis-reddick-st-louis-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Antoinette Brown (52) – Dallas, TX – Killed By A Pack Of 4 Pit Bull-Mixes, Rottweiler, Shepherd & Doberman-Mixes (5/9/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/05/antoinette-brown-dallas-texas-fatal-dog-attack/

Earl Stephens Jr. (43) – Stockton, CA – Killed By 3 Pit Bulls While Visiting A Friend – (6/4/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/06/earl-stephens-jr-stockton-ca-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Hunter Bragg (7) – Corinna, ME – Killed By A Pit Bull While Playing In Father’s Yard (6/4/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/06/hunter-bragg-corinna-maine-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Erin McCleskey (36) – Manor, TX – Killed By Pack Of Dogs While Serving Papers (6/15/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/06/erin-mccleskey-36-manor-texas-dog-bite-related-fatality/

Jocelyn Winfrey (53) – New Haven, CT – Killed By 2 Pit Bull Type Dogs While Visiting Friend (6/27/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/06/jocelyn-winfrey-hamilton-hicks-new-haven-ct-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Susie Kirby (3-days) – Fresno, CA – Killed By The Family’s 2 Pit Bull/Shar Pei Mixes (6/27/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/06/susie-kirby-fresno-california-fatal-pit-bull-shar-pei-dog-attack/

Kayden Begay (3) – Navajo Nation Reservation, AZ – Killed By The Neighbor’s 5 Pit Bulls (7/14/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/07/kayden-begay-navajo-nation-reservation-az-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Elizabeth Rivera (71) – Detroit, MI – Killed By Her Daughter’s 4 Pit Bulls (7/16/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/07/elizabeth-rivera-detroit-michigan-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Crisencio Aliado (52) – Honolulu, HI – Killed By 2 Loose Pit Bull-Mixes (7/29/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/07/crisencio-aliado-honolulu-hawaii-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Michelle Wilcox (30) – Screven County, Georgia – Killed By Her Boyfriend’s Pit Bull While Visiting (8/1/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/08/michelle-wilcox-screven-county-georgia-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Derion Stevenson (9) – Las Vegas, NV – Killed By Pit Bull-Mix While Visiting Friend (8/17/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/08/derion-stevenson-las-vegas-nevada-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Michael Downing (83) – Jacksonville, FL – Killed By Rottweiler & 3 Mixed-Breeds While Taking Out Trash (8/19/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/08/michael-downing-jacksonville-florida-fatal-dog-attack/

Susan Shawl (60) – Conifer, CO – Killed By Her Son’s 2 Family Pit Bulls (8/29/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/08/richard-susan-shawl-conifer-colorado-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Baby Jane Doe (6-days) – College Station, TX – Killed By Breed Unknown (9/1/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/09/baby-jane-doe-college-station-texas-fatal-dog-attack/

Piper Dunbar (2) – Topeka, KS – Killed By Family Friend’s 2 Pit Bulls (9/24/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/09/piper-dunbar-topeka-kansas-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Kiyana McNeal (4) – Sherman Township, MI – Killed By A Doberman-Mix Within An Hour Of Adopting (10/23/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/10/kiyana-mcneal-sherman-township-dog-doberman-fatal-attack/

Daisie Bradshaw (68) – New York City, NY – Killed By Her Daughter’s 2 Pit Bull-Mixes (10/25/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/10/daisie-bradshaw-68-staten-island-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

Isaiah Jacob Franklin (6) – Huntington, WV – Killed By The Family Pit Bull (12/2/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/12/isaiah-jacob-franklin-huntington-west-virginia-fatal-pit-bull-attack/

David Fear (64) – Grover Beach, CA – Killed By Neighbor’s Police K9 (12/16/16) https://www.daxtonsfriends.com/2016/12/david-fear-grover-beach-california-fatal-dog-attack/