Death By Dog: 7 People Who Have Been Mauled In The Last Year

The dog is known as man's best friend but millions bite their owners and other people each year. CNN reported in 2016 that about 4.5 million dog bites occur each year. Sometimes these attacks can turn fatal. According to Dogs Bite, there were 31 fatal dog attacks in 2016. Pit bulls contributed to 71% of these attacks.

Here are seven dog attacks that turned deadly in the past 12 months.

According to KHON2, six-month-old baby Kamiko (pictured above) was bitten by a pit bull and died last May. According to the family, the baby was playing in a baby walker near Mana, the family's pit bull. The mother went to the bathroom and when she returned, she saw Mana biting the baby. The family has had Mana for nine years and the dog had never never bitten anyone. “I have no words to explain my pain," the mother shared in a statement.

A three-week-old baby from Michigan was attacked and killed by a pit bull last May. According to detectives, a pit bull was found near Susannah Murray with blood around its mouth.“This is a very, very tragic situation,” said Sgt. Terry Dixon. According to WoodTV, Susannah was in her baby bouncer while adults were outside on the porch. When an adult came in to check on her five minutes later, they saw she was bitten and the pit bull was nearby. Susannah was taken to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery, but later died.

In October, a 7-year-old boy in Lowell, Massachusetts was mauled to death by two pit bulls. The incident occurred after the child entered a fenced area which contained the dogs."I heard someone yelling, 'It's my baby! It's my baby!' and I come to find out that it was my daughter's friend's son," neighbor Annmarie Dizazzo told Boston 25 News. By the time authorities arrived, the child was already dead. “He was already gone as soon as we got there. No one knew what to do — probably 15 people just watching it happen ... just screaming,” an onlooker told the Boston Herald. One of the dogs got loose and then charged at a cop, who shot it dead.

In December, a dog walk turned deadly when a 22-year-old woman from Virginia was found mauled to death. Authorities believe that two of her own pit bulls were to blame for the attack. “It appeared the attack was a violent attack initiated by the victims’ dogs while the victim was out for a walk with the dogs,” Sheriff Jim Agnew said. “The victim had defensive wounds on her hands and arms trying to keep the dogs away from her, which would be consistent with being attacked while she was still alive. It appears she was taken to the ground, lost consciousness, and the dogs then mauled her to death.” The 100-pound woman was found with wounds to the throat and face.

Christmas Eve turned deadly for a Kentucky woman when her husband found her mauled by their neighbor's dogs. It was not clear what prompted the attacks or why the dogs were outside. Authorities didn't specify the breed but described the dogs as pit bulls. “I’m sure he will see this. I hope he does. He’s responsible for my wife’s death," her husband said of the dogs' owner.

A dog was staying at a pet boarding facility, or pet motel, when it attacked a Louisiana woman earlier this month. "This situation is horrific and awful," Ouachita Parish police chief president Scotty Robinson said. "That dog should and will be put down. I can guarantee you that." The victim was an employee at Happy Hounds pet motel. The proprietors of the establishment said that pet owners need to be honest with how aggressive their animals are when checking them into a pet motel.

A pit bull that got loose from its chain attacked and killed an Ohio man in April. The 60-year-old victim was walking in the area when the pit bull attacked him. A neighbor called authorities and described the man as screaming in pain. "There's a man outside yelling 'Jesus help me. Help me,'" the caller said to the dispatcher. "Sounds like he's in pain. He's yelling at the top of his lungs. All the dogs are barking."  Authorities found three pit bulls on the property and believe the animals didn't have food or water.

[Photo: Facebook, Family photo]