Posted on: Sunday, June 29th, 2008

Florida woman killed by her own dogs when she attempts to stop them from fighting

dpgsA 74 year old Florida grandmother died last week after being attacked by her own two dogs.

On Thursday, police say, the two pets attacked Loraine May, leaving May with a dislocated shoulder and too many bite marks on her body to count. “This poor woman endured a vicious attack,” Lt. Todd Hutchinson, a Titusville police spokesman, said Friday.

Police theorize that May was breaking up a fight between the dogs, who, according to a relative, are mother and son. The animals, which May had owned since they were puppies, had a history of fighting with each other, Hutchinson said.

The relative said the 11-year-old female golden-retriever mix is named Sammy, and the 6-year-old male Australian-shepherd mix is called Seth.

They are being held in separate cages at Brevard County Animal Services and Enforcement in Melbourne while workers there conduct an investigation, said the services’ Capt. Bob Brown. They could be euthanized as early as next week.

Experts agree that no one should attempt to break up a dog fight. The following are methods that should be used if you do try to break up a dog fight: If two people are both available they should grab the hind legs of the dogs, not the head or body, a blanket can be thrown over the dogs to disorient them which allows to be removed.

Distract the dogs by throwing an object at them and lastly water can be poured on them or a hose can be used.

If you or a loved one has been attacked or bitten by a dog in Jacksonville call the Law Offices of Henry E. Gare at (904) 387-6101