PUEBLO, Colorado — A 76-year-old woman suffering from dementia was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in her home, leading to the arrest of her daughter, authorities confirmed.
LaVonne Hoff’s body was discovered in February at the home she shared with her daughter, Jessica, in Pueblo, Colorado. Police reported that Jessica had left her mother alone while running errands, despite LaVonne requiring 24-hour care due to her condition.
Upon arrival, officers found multiple dogs running loose inside the property. A total of 24 dogs were found at the scene of the fatal attack, with an additional 30 dogs discovered at a second property owned by Jessica, 47. Authorities noted that some of the dogs were in poor health.
During their search, investigators also seized seven birds. Police linked LaVonne’s death to a dog attack and subsequently arrested Jessica. She faces charges of criminal negligence resulting in the death of an at-risk adult, along with 54 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.
Jessica is scheduled to appear in court on March 27.
The incident follows a series of fatal dog attacks. In California, Davina Corbin was mauled to death by a pack of 25 Great Danes while hiking in Feather Falls, approximately 90 miles from Sacramento, in August. Authorities confirmed multiple bite marks on her body and forensic evidence linking the dogs to the attack.
A fundraiser was launched to cover Corbin’s funeral expenses, with her family struggling to cope with the tragedy.
In December, a man in San Diego was fatally mauled by his three XL bully dogs in a public park. Witnesses described the animals as “massive muscle.”
The UK has since implemented legislation banning XL bully dogs unless the owner possesses an exemption certificate, a law that took effect in February 2024.
