Yet another dog attack in Georgia has claimed the life of an innocent woman. The victim had barely reached adulthood, and she was just 21 years old when she was viciously mauled to death by two aggressive dogs. The local community is reeling from this tragedy, and the owner of the animals has been put behind bars. But is incarceration really enough to help this grieving family achieve justice and closure?
Augusta Woman Killed by Two Dogs
In December of 2024, it was reported that a 21-year-old woman had been savagely mauled by two out-of-control dogs. Neighbors say these animals have a history of aggression. Although the exact breed of these dogs seems unclear, images show police extracting two canines from the residence of the owner. One was a large tan-colored animal, and the other was white with black spots.
Police also took the owner of these animals into custody, and he is now facing one charge of involuntary manslaughter. The animals seem to have escaped from the owner’s yard, assaulting the woman as she was walking by. Police say that there are no records of these animals being aggressive, and it is unclear whether they will be euthanized.
However, one thing is clear: The animals were the owner’s responsibility – and he allowed them to attack the woman.
Five days after this initial report, family and friends of the victim paid their respects with a candlelight vigil and a balloon release. Her family says that she was on her way back from school when the attack occurred – and she was just steps away from reaching her doorstep.
By the end of December, People ran a story on the attack and exposed more details. This report stated that the woman had been bitten on the face and torso and that these bites caused fatal wounds. This report also highlighted the fact that the family had set up a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs.
What Happens Next?
It seems clear that the dog owner will face an uphill legal battle as he attempts to avoid consequences for contributing to this attack. Manslaughter is not a minor charge, and he could spend many years in prison if convicted.
However, one cannot help but wonder whether a more just outcome would involve compensation for the family. It’s clear that they are struggling to cover funeral costs, and a wrongful death claim could theoretically help with these damages.
One notable detail of this story is that police had no record of previous violent incidents involving these two dogs. This could pose issues if the family attempts to seek compensation, as Georgia follows a “one-bite rule.”
According to this rule, an owner is only liable for injuries caused by their dog if the animal exhibited dangerous behavior before the attack. This often means that if the dog had not hurt anyone previously, a lawsuit becomes very difficult.
However, the family should not give up hope simply because of an offhand remark by police officers at the scene of the fatal attack. It may still be possible to pursue compensation alongside an experienced dog bite attorney in Georgia.