A 61-year-old rural postal carrier was attacked by several dogs Sunday afternoon in the Interlachen Lake Estates area after her vehicle was reported to have broken down.
Deputies responded and found a woman on the ground with severe bleeding. Five dogs were nearby inside a fence at a residence in the 2000 block of Walker Drive.
Witnesses told deputies they heard a woman scream for help and when they went outside they saw her on the ground with five dogs attacking. Witnesses said several neighbors rushed to help by attempting to pull the dogs off and one neighbor shot a rifle into the ground to scare the animals.
Deputies arrived on the scene and started first aid assistance including applying tourniquets until rescue units arrived. The woman was transported to HCA Florida Putnam Hospital by ambulance and then flown to a trauma center in Gainesville where she died Monday night.
Animal Control arrived at the scene and took custody of the five dogs identified by witnesses in the attack.
“Our hearts are with the victim and her family as they navigate through this tragic event,” Sheriff H.D. ‘Gator’ DeLoach said. “It is imperative that dog owners take responsibility in keeping their animals in a secured location for their safety and those around.”
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During a press conference on Tuesday, authorities said that the five dogs, all mixed breed, would be euthanized.
This is an ongoing investigation.
In a separate case, The Free Press reported on a 69-year-old woman who was mauled to death by three dogs Saturday night in Gritney, Florida.
Shirley Johnson, a Holmes County resident, was found dead on Sunday in Gritney, Florida, with over 100 bite marks on her body.
According to WJHG, the 69-year-old was walking home from her son’s house on Saturday evening when she was attacked by three dogs.
Sheriff John Tate said that Johnson was reportedly found by a passerby around 24 hours later, with bite marks over her body. A medical examiner ruled that Johnson was bitten over 100 times during the attack.
The dogs that officials believe were responsible for that attack have been euthanized, according to WJHG. The breed of the dogs has not been revealed.
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