Police have reported that a woman from Ohio was discovered deceased in her backyard after being viciously attacked by a dog.
On Tuesday, September 26, Toledo Police Department (TPD) received a notification from concerned citizens about an elderly woman found in the backyard of a property located in the 4000 block of Grantley Road. CBS affiliate WTOL reported that the woman was identified as 70-year-old Diane Knepper.
According to a spokesperson from TPD, Knepper sustained severe injuries, which could have been caused by her dog. As per DogsBite.org, a website that documents dog-related fatalities, there have been numerous instances of people losing their lives due to dog attacks in recent years.
According to DogsBite.org, from 2005 to 2019, there were 521 recorded deaths caused by dogs. Shockingly, 66% (346) of these deaths were attributed to pit bulls alone. When combined with rottweilers, these two breeds accounted for 76% of the total number of recorded deaths. This data highlights the severe danger that these breeds can pose to humans.
According to WTOL, Toledo Fire and Rescue Department personnel successfully relocated Knepper’s dog, who was discovered in the backyard.
As soon as the animal was found, the rescue team kept it at a safe distance from the woman who had passed away. Meanwhile, the fire and rescue crew took immediate action to provide her with necessary medical assistance.
After the incident, the dog warden was summoned to the residence, and the pet was removed while detectives pursued their inquiry. Authorities chose not to disclose the breed of the dog or its current whereabouts.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), dog bites have led to the unfortunate loss of 81 lives in the United States in 2021.
According to the CDC, there has been a significant increase in deaths among both men and women from 2018 to 2021. During this time period, the number of deaths among men more than doubled, rising from 15 to 37. Similarly, the number of deaths among women also more than doubled, increasing from 20 to 44.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), there are over 4.5 million reported cases of dog bites in the United States each year, with more than 800,000 individuals seeking medical attention for their injuries.
According to the AVMA, there are various measures that individuals can take to reduce the likelihood of getting bitten by a dog. These include:
- Educate yourself and any children in your life about how to have a good interaction with a dog, including how to respect them.
- Break your house into zones if you have young children, especially since you could be able to keep the dog in one area and the child in another.
- Keep young children and the dog separated, unless there is constant adult supervision.
- Be with your dog when he or she interacts with unfamiliar people.
- Remove your dog from the situation whenever they seem to be anxious or agitated.
- Provide your dog with a secure resting space and supervision in risky situations.
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