Posted on 11/28/2005 6:07:18 AM PST by tuffydoodle
Woman, 76, killed by dogs in front yard
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
THORNDALE - A pack of six dogs mauled a 76-year-old woman to death as she worked in her front yard, authorities said.
Lillian Loraine Stiles was riding on a lawn mower in her front yard Saturday when she was confronted by the dogs, described as a pit bull-Rottweiler mix, said Milam County Sheriff Charlie West.
Investigators think Stiles had gotten off the lawn mower and was heading back into her house when she was attacked.
Stiles, who had severe bites over her entire body, was pronounced dead at her home. A man who tried to help Stiles was bitten on his leg.
The six dogs were found at the home of Stiles' neighbor, Jose Hernandez. Five of the dogs were seized by the Sheriff's Department and taken to a veterinary clinic in nearby Cameron.
An autopsy on Stiles will be performed by the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office.
Thorndale is about 70 miles west of College Station.
A little more info:
THORNDALE, Texas - A pack of six dogs mauled a 76-year-old woman to death as she worked in her front yard, authorities said.
Lillian Loraine Stiles was riding on a lawn mower in her front yard Saturday when she was confronted by the dogs, described as a pit bull-rottweiler mix, said Milam County Sheriff Charlie West.
Investigators think Stiles was heading back into her house after getting off the lawn mower when she was attacked. She suffered severe bites over her entire body and was pronounced dead at her home, authorities said.
Weldon Smith, of Rockdale, tried to help Stiles and and was bitten on his leg. He ran to alert the woman's husband, Jack Stiles, who was inside the couple's home at the time of the incident. Jack Stiles retrieved a gun and fatally shot one of the dogs, The Eagle reported.
The other five dogs were seized by the sheriff's department and taken to a veterinary clinic in nearby Cameron. Thorndale is located about 70 miles west of College Station.
The animals belonged to Stiles' neighbor, Jose Hernandez. West said he was unaware of previous complaints or reports regarding the dogs.
An autopsy on Stiles will be performed by the Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office.
The sheriff's department will send the findings of its investigation to the Milam County District Attorney's Office, which will decide if any criminal charges will be filed against Hernandez.
Jack Stiles said relatives were stunned by his wife's death.
"It's really hard to grasp and realize that she's gone," he said. "We're really at a loss. You wonder why these things happen."
Lillian Loraine Stiles is survived by her husband, three children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
dog of peace PING!
I see this story got moved to chat.
Why someone would think crossing a pit bull with a rottweiler would be a good idea is beyond me. I saw this story on the news last night, it was heartbreaking.
Did any of those fires get close to you?
I could smell them on Friday or Saturday night but didn't see any. Is that big fire out there in Parker County getting close to you?
Check Jose's immigration status while you are at it, Sheriff. Illegals like to keep a pack of dogs around...a cultural thing, it seems.
No, it was about 7 miles east of us and the winds were blowing it further east. As far as I know, the fires are out.
It's a good idea... if you plan to kill people.
An autopsy? Like, just in case she died of a 'heart attack' from exertion, from lawn work. . .done while on the riding lawn mower?'. . .
The pitbull will finish.
A pack of six dogs. . .but only 'five' taken to a . . .veterinary clinic. . .and the sixth, was too weak to travel. . .or what?
I say anyone whose dog kills a person should themselves be killed.
I suspect that, even more than the breed mix, this came as a result of letting them run as a pack. Bad news, especially for aggressive breeds.
It died from gunshot wounds.
I just saw on the news this morning that the fires are still burning and they are fixing to start evacuating the nearby neighborhood.
See post #2; the sixth assumed room temperature after receiving a high speed lead infusion.
That may be Lost Creek, which is closer to Western Hills than it is Aledo.
Thanks. . .missed that. Lead infusion works. . .:^)
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