Rotty-mix attacks owner

dyan

and the fact that that the bites were in shoulder and arm

I agree, i dont think the dog killed the woman

Since there were no witnesses I'll reserve judgment until the autopsy is done.

I know how Timmy is around us and kids and he's do anything to save us if we were in harm's way, I'm sure. I'd like to believe that about Rotties or mixes as well.

I don't get how they will be able to tell if she died BECAUSE of the dog, or not.  How can they tell if the dog "attacked" before or AFTER she fell and couldn't get up?  Um.... I suppose if the dog was attacking her, there would be wounds to her hands and wrists because she would instinctively raise them to protect her head, face and neck?   Say she passed out and THEN the dog reacted - how can they tell from the injuries whether the dog was trying to save her, or acting in a predatory fashion?

I'd like to believe the best about the dog, too, and I can't help but think if the dog was a different breed mix, it wouldn't be held.

If she had a heart attack or stroke, they could see that based on the condition of the heart, brain, blood vessels, etc.  If she bled out from dog bites, there would be a diferent amount of blood at the scene.  If the dog was mauling and tearing at her flesh while the heart was still pumping there will be way more blood than flesh wounds from being dragged after death.

That's my opinion, not corroborated by any actual experience in the medical field.

Even if the dog pulled at her while her heart was pumping, that doesn't necessarily mean that he killed her - it's just as plausible, at least from only that bit of evidence, that he was trying to pull her and she was unconscious at the time.  I think that the amount of blood and depth of wounds might be more important than just whether her heart was beating at the time.

Chuffy

don't get how they will be able to tell if she died BECAUSE of the dog, or not.  How can they tell if the dog "attacked" before or AFTER she fell and couldn't get up?  Um.... I suppose if the dog was attacking her, there would be wounds to her hands and wrists because she would instinctively raise them to protect her head, face and neck?   Say she passed out and THEN the dog reacted - how can they tell from the injuries whether the dog was trying to save her, or acting in a predatory fashion?

I'd like to believe the best about the dog, too, and I can't help but think if the dog was a different breed mix, it wouldn't be held.

 Wait....I thought I read that the woman died afterwards.....yes...going back...the husband found her about 2:30 AM and she died at 5:10 AM or some time like that, at the hospital.

The family that believe that the dog was trying to be a hero is I believe her husband and other family members such as her adult son....not sure if he lived there or not. But he said the dog loved all of them but when the Mom was around he would walk by everyone to go stay by her.  Also since she had been sick he had seemed to get closer to her.

Being that we have a lot of snow in our area these days....by the looks of the snow and the blood in it....it looked to them like the dog was tryng to drag her to the house..of course as big as the dog might be...we're talking a 200 lb woman.   I think they are thinking she could have had another heart attack or stroke...so far she has had a few...and its sure possible.  Never know....she never goes out for the dog but she might not have felt too good or was upset if she remembered the dog had to be brought in and her husband was asleep...so she went herself when she wasn't really well enough.  But why without a coat,,,or anything but a thin nightgown.

I would think that dog had to be held regardless of what kind of dog it was, just because it appears that it bit someone. 

I know it's cynical speculation, but I can't shake the thought that, hHad it been a different type of dog, the assumption would have been that the dog was trying to save her.  Because it was a rotty mix, the assumption is that he was trying to kill her.  Because they're all devil dogs, doncherknow.

Chuffy

Because they're all devil dogs, doncherknow

Yeah....them and them awful bully breeds! 

I have to agree with Chuffy had it been a lab, retriever, setter or a pointer even the automatic assumption would be the dog was trying to save her life had it been a pitbull it definately would have been trying to kill her but sinces it's a rotty it was *most likely* trying to kill her. I personally love rotty's but have to wait to have one but thats ok cause the best breed I've yet to own is a golden retriever.

Maura

 

The coroner will be able to determine if there was a head shake. If the dog simply put his mouth on the woman and pulled, his teeth sinking into her, there will be a specific puncture wound pattern.

Ahh taht makes sense

So there definitely WOULD have been a head shake if the dog was attacking?

I am so mad......for a while I was looking for more on this story..such as what happened to the dog....what did they decide.

Just tonight on the 11:00 news they just reported that they think the lady died because of her bad heart.......and the dog was already put down.

I went searching and ended up on a Rotty board.  They said there that the police decided it was a vicious dog and gave the family the choice to put him down or buy insurance  for vicious dogs which the family could not afford.   They also had to pay the kennel where the dog was taken  $600 for his keep while he was there.     I guess the report came out today that there were NO bite marks....and the death of accidental.

Here is what was printed.

Results of Investigation:*
Manner of Death: Accidental
Cause of Death: Cardiovascular disease
Contributory Factors: Hypothermia
Subcutaneous, soft tissue injury (from claw marks)
Blunt force impact to head and extremities
*Source: Interview with Cuyahoga County Coroner’s Office, May 13, 2010 Autopsy Report