Record dog attack death count in 2024; Detroit pit bull owner sent to jail

Detroit victim Harold Phillips was the third of 71 U.S. dog attack deaths in 2024,  all listed below

DETROIT, Michigan––Pit bull owner Roy Goodman,  41,  was on January 3,  2025 sentenced to serve from two and a half to 15 years in prison for the January 31,  2024 mauling death of neighbor Harold Phillips,  35.

Goodman’s wife,  Trevina Quiche Goodman,  39,  was placed on probation for three years.

Both Goodmans pleaded no contest to possessing a dangerous animal causing death.

Roy Goodman in the courtroom repeated apologies to Harold Phillips’ wife Shauntaye Phillips,  and his family.

Pit bulls who killed Phillips had history

Goodman originally made a similar apology through reporter Kimberly Craig of WXYZ television soon after Shauntaye Phillips announced on February 2,  2024 that Harold Phillips had died after three days in hospital.

Roy Goodman acknowledged then “that the dogs he and his wife own have been involved in three previous dog bite cases,  including one involving a child,”  Craig summarized.

“After the child situation,  the one dog should have definitely been put down,”  Goodman said.

Instead,  recounted Craig,  “According to animal control,  in 2021,  when one of the dogs belonging to the Goodmans bit a child,  we’re told it was determined that the dog bite was ‘provoked’ and animal control classified the injury as ‘non-severe.’

“Quarantined & returned”

“The dog was quarantined and returned to the couple and they were fined,  according to a spokesperson for Detroit Animal Care & Control,  who added that the same dog was one of the three involved in the attack on Harold Phillips,”  Craig said.

Craig investigated further.

“Court records show that in January 2021,”  Craig found,  “Roy Goodman was charged with failing to prevent an animal from engaging in nuisance/menacing behavior,  a misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty,  but for some reason,  the case was dismissed later that year.”

Also in 2021,  Craig continued,  “Goodman’s wife was charged with having too many dogs,  a misdemeanor.  The case against Goodman’s wife dragged on.  Court records show she was a no-show on several occasions.  Eventually,  a warrant was issued for her arrest, and court records show that warrant is still active,”  three years after the January 2021 incident.

On Mark Kumpf’s watch. Again.

Nor was that all.

“Roy Goodman told 7 Action News,”  Craig continued,  “that in addition to the child being bitten,  a contractor was bitten,  as well as another adult on another occasion.  The attack on Phillips was the fourth incident” involving the Goodman pit bulls.

Finished Craig,  “Roy Goodman said he wanted the dog who bit the child to be euthanized.  When asked why that didn’t happen, Roy Goodman replied,  ‘My wife and the animal control did what they did and got him released.  They returned him to my wife,  and when I decided to stay with my wife,  I had to accept that she kept that dog.”

While Roy Goodman apologized,  no apologies have been forthcoming from the city of Detroit,  whose Animal Care & Control department under former chief Mark Kumpf repeatedly failed to respond effectively to the previous attacks by the pit bulls who killed Harold Phillips.

Failures to impound

Only after Harold Phillips was fatally attacked were the four Goodman pit bulls impounded,  and three of them euthanized.

Kumpf,  introduced as Detroit animal control chief on September 23,  2019,  departed in September 2023 to start his own Animal Control & Care Academy back in Dayton,  Ohio,  where he was during his previous tenure heading the Montgomery County,  Ohio animal services agency.

Altogether,  Kumpf had four fatal dog attacks on his watch in Detroit,  after having had five on his watch in Montgomery County.

The last two fatalities in Detroit,  the mauling of Harold Phillips and the October 18,  2023 pit bull mauling death of four-year-old Lovell Anderson in Detroit,  actually came after Kumpf left Detroit,  but both involved failures to impound dogs during Kumpf’s tenure who had repeatedly been reported for dangerous behavior.

(See Mark Kumpf named Detroit animal control chief. Remember Klonda Richey?)

Dismantled Ohio dangerous dog law

While heading Montgomery County Animal Services,  Kumpf helped to lead a legislative campaign that dismantled the Ohio dangerous dog law,  which recognized pit bulls as “inherently vicious,”  requiring that they be kept under strong security.

(See Pit bull victim Kingsley Wright, age 3, was 70th dog attack death of 2024.)

Twenty Ohio residents have been killed by pit bulls and other formerly restricted dog breeds since the dog law was weakened.

Kumpf was not the only prominent pit bull advocate heading a Detroit-area animal care agency.  And Kumpf was not the only head of a Detroit-area animal care agency to have been in his position through more dog attack fatalities than anyone else in the world,  ever,  heading a comparable agency.

Sergeant Pepper on the Memphis beat

Michigan Humane Society president Matt Pepper,  also a longtime pit bull advocate,  headed the Memphis Animal Shelter when in July 2010 two pit bulls mauled William Parker,  71,  who suffered a fatal heart attack during the mauling.

The two pit bulls also injured two paramedics,  a bystander,  and Parker’s daughter Gardenia when she tried to rescue her father.

The pit bull owner,  Bernard Humphrey,  was a registered sex offender.  His girlfriend,  Sherry Wooten,  pleaded guilty to manslaughter

“It’s wonderful to be here;  it’s certainly a thrill”

Pepper came to the Michigan Humane Society,  which does not have animal control responsibilities,  in 2014.

Since then,  27 dogs have participated in killing 13 people within the Michigan Humane Society service radius.

Among those dogs were 23 pit bulls (85%),  two Rottweilers,  a husky,  and a Doberman.

Altogether,  forty-four dogs have participated in killing at least 21 Michigan residents since 2004,  fifteen of whom were killed in Detroit.

Thirty-two of those dogs were  pit bulls;  three more,  a pair of Cane Corsos and a bullmastiff,  were pit bull variants.  Four were Rottweilers,  three were huskies,  and one was a wolf hybrid.

ANIMALS 24-7,  at the foot of Detroit animal control & humane society dog attack prevention fails again,  listed all of the Michigan dog attack fatalities since 2004,  as of October 20,  2023,  by name,  date,  place,  and breed of dog,  with details of each attack.

2024 dog attack toll started slowly,  closed fast

 The year 2024 closed with ten fatal dog attacks in 26 days,  ending with a record 71 reported fatalities in the U.S.,  51 by pit bull,  plus another in Canada,  for a new combined U.S.-and-Canada death toll on 72.

But that is not how 2024 started out.

Twenty-nine days into the year,  January 2024 appeared likely to become the first month since November 2020 without a pit bull-inflicted human fatality occurring somewhere around the U.S.

Then,  within the last 48 hours of the month,  as well as killing Harold Phillips,  pit bulls killed 19-year-old Carlon Galloway,  of Fort Hall,  Idaho;  Willie Mundine,  85,  of Indianapolis,  Indiana,  killed in the act of protecting his wife;  and Sommer Kanoeonalani Crivello,  of Ocean View,  Hawaii.

The 2024 roster of dog attack dead

(Listed by breed involved.) 

CANE CORSO

1) Kache Grist, 11,  4-2-2024,  Edmonton,  Alberta.  Killed by father’s dogs.

(See Ten fatal dog attacks come to light in two weeks, eight ignored by media.)

2) Shiree Barney,  9,  8-9-2024, Aripine,  AZ.  Killed by two family dogs.

(See Four U.S. dog attack fatalities in one week for the third time in 2024.)

CATAHOULA

1) Leonore Lawhon Hale,  72,  1-29-2024,  Chiefland, FL.  Own dog also mauled husband Jim Hale.

(See U.S. dog attack body count soars, as in U.K. despite Bully XL ban.)

GERMAN SHEPHERD

1) Shiraz Amal Asirvadam,  1,  1-15-2024,  Duncanville, TX.  Three of babysitter’s four dogs.

(See Rabid street dog or hungry pit bull: if at risk, get help!)

2) Nancy Ann Punches,  91, 9-25-2024, Chehalis, WA.  Killed by own 2 German shepherds.

(See Skunks, raccoons, bears, bad bugs & pit bulls, oh my! in the Carolinas.)

GREAT DANE

1) Duke Miller Whittington,  4,  1-29-2024, Monroe Center, IL.  Parents were breeders.

(See Another pit bull fatality reminds again: keep babies away from dogs.)

2) Davina Corbin, 56, 8-8-2024, Feather Falls, CA.  Free-roaming pack, unknown owner.

(See Four U.S. dog attack fatalities in one week for the third time in 2024.)

HUSKY

1) Brayden Heery Burwell,  2 weeks, 2-16-2024,  Milford,  CT.

(See Predictable husky & pit bull attacks kill baby & 3 others in eight days.)

2) Amaya Rose Carmack, 4 days,  5-14-2024,  Greene County,  TN.  (Grandmother had stepped out for a cigarette.  A second husky,  a pit bull described as a chocolate lab,  and a mutt described as an “Anatolian shepherd” were also in the house.)

(See Predictable husky & pit bull attacks kill baby & 3 others in eight days.)

3) Ezra Anthony Mansoor,  5 weeks, 5-24-2024, Knoxville, TN.  Died 5-30-2024.  Family husky.

(See Another 10 days, another dog attack kills a baby, just 70 miles away.)

4) Unidentified homeless, 7-4-2023,  Fresno County, CA.  Told cops “husky or coyote.”

PIT BULL

1) Reuben Pierce,  70,  1-24-2024,  Jacksonville, AR.  Mauled by pit bulls on October 30, 2023.

(See Pit bulls kill two men miles from home, one in home, & one in front yard.)

2) Willie Mundine,  85,  1-30-2024,  Indianapolis, IN.  3 free-roaming pit bulls in own back yard.

(See Pit bulls kill four in last two days of January 2024.)

3) Carlon Galloway,  19,  1-30-2024,  Fort Hall Reservation, ID.  Fugitive from justice.

(See Pit bulls kill four in last two days of January 2024.)

4) Harold Phillips,  35,  1-31-2024, Detroit, MI.  3 free-roaming pit bulls.  Died 2-2-2024 after four days in coma.

(See Pit bulls kill four in last two days of January 2024.)

5) Sommer Crivello,  42,  1-31-2024,  Ocean View, HI.  Died saving pet goat from own pit bull,

(See Pit bulls kill four in last two days of January 2024.)

6) Jay Simms,  67,  2-2-2024,  Longview, TX.  Attacked on bicycle,  apparently suffered heart attack.

(See U.S. dog attack body count soars, as in U.K. despite Bully XL ban.)

7) Dominic Cooper,  35,  2-15-2-24,  Compton, CA.   Breeder killed by own 13 pit bulls.

(See Pit bull advocates say the darnedest things, especially after attacks.)

8) Beau Clark, 4, 2-26-2024, Hartselle, AL.  Killed & father injured by family Olde English Bulldog.

(See “Olde English Bulldogges,” huskies, denial, & avoidable deaths of children.)

9) Mark Alan Partain,  2,  3-1-2024,  New Hope, AL.  Neighbor’s pit bull.

(See UPDATE: Four toddlers killed by dogs in 10 days: lessons yet to be learned.)

10) Daymon Jair Balbuena,  3 months,  3-9-2024,  Woodbridge, NJ.  Killed,  parents hurt by own pit bull.

(See Another pit bull fatality reminds again: keep babies away from dogs.)

11) Lennox Rohena, 1,  3-13-24,  East Hartford, CT.

(See How pit bulls bounce trampolines into death traps for small children.)

12) Cindy White,  52,  4-12-2024, Portsmouth, VA.  Killed by own three pit bulls.

(See Ten fatal dog attacks come to light in two weeks, eight ignored by media.)

13) Kaheem Robinson,  41,  4-26-2024, Bronx, NY.  Killed by his own pit bull.

(See Rabid street dog or hungry pit bull: if at risk, get help!.)

14) Courtney Williams Cox,  35,  5-9-2024,  Quitman, AL.  Two pits led pack of 13 mutts.  One of three children with victim was critically injured.

(See Georgia mom-of-three extends Mother’s Day week run of pit bull fatalities.)

15) Man,  40,  5-18-2024,  Farmington Hills, MI.  Killed by “family pit bull.”

(See Predictable husky & pit bull attacks kill baby & 3 others in eight days.)

16) Jennifer Breeden,  53, 5-30-2024 Los Angeles, CA.  Killed by own pit bull while breaking up fight.

(See Dog attacks: Nelly Korda, Len Taunyane, the Olympics & two pit bull fatalities.)

17) Willard Norton,  83,  6-2-2024,  Town Creek, AL.  Killed by neighbor’s two pit bulls.

(See Roses, whitewash, & a glittery mall can’t hide pit bull pack bloody mayhem.)

18) Trina Sandlin,  57,  6-9-2024,  Jeremiah, TN.  Killed by convict’s free-roaming pit bulls.

(See Roses, whitewash, & a glittery mall can’t hide pit bull pack bloody mayhem.)

19)  Sheila Jones,  54,  6-14-2024,  Baltimore, MD.  Two others injured in rampage by two pit bulls.

(See Roses, whitewash, & a glittery mall can’t hide pit bull pack bloody mayhem.)

20) Geronima Florez,  85,  6-21-2024, Monte Alto, TX. Killed while feeding own pit bull.

(See Pit bull death of 85-year-old spotlights Hidalgo County animal control disaster.)

21) Toby Bryan Berkley,  40,  6-27-2024,  Snyder, TX.  Killed by two pit bulls owned by Marco Aguirre.

(See Dog attacks: Nelly Korda, Len Taunyane, the Olympics & two pit bull fatalities.)

22) Theresa Rhodes,  61,  7-1-2024,  Bolivar, TN.  Killed by two pit bulls.

(See Worst dog attack month in two years includes death in Gaza firefight.)

23) Jaxson Dvorak,  6,  7-3-2024, Lorain, OH. Killed by pit bull & GSD with six puppies.

(See Fourth of July 2024 death reports: 3 by dog, 1 by croc, & a famous bull.)

24) Clint Fontenot,  41,  7-3-2024,   Arkadelphia,  AR.  Killed by own XL Bully.

(See Fourth of July 2024 death reports: 3 by dog, 1 by croc, & a famous bull.)

25) Karen K.C. Nelson,  71,  7-10-2024,  Florence, SC.  Killed while bicycling.

(See Worst dog attack month in two years includes death in Gaza firefight.)

26) Renona Ewing,  62,  7-11-2024,  Tuscaloosa County, AL.  Breeder killed in pen by Bully XL.

(See Worst dog attack month in two years includes death in Gaza firefight.)

27) Kimberly Ann Williams,  60,  8-2-2024,  Indianapolis, IL.  Dog-sitter killed by two pit bulls.

(See Racing at Indianapolis is now safer than giving two pit bulls a bath.)

28) Sulamin Hawkins Jr,  2 months,  8-3-2024,  Rochester, NY.  Killed in home by two pit bulls.

(See Four U.S. dog attack fatalities in one week for the third time in 2024.)

29) Unknown,  1,  8-9-2024,  Memphis, TN.  Boy killed in home by two pit bulls.

(See Four U.S. dog attack fatalities in one week for the third time in 2024.)

30) Keshon Bullock,  33,  8-24-2024,  Chicago, IL.  Killed while sitting pit bulls for a friend.

(See Pit bulls kill two men miles from home, one in home, & one in front yard.)

31) Robert Holguin,  53,  9-1-2024,  Oakland, CA.  Killed by friend’s three pit bulls.

(See Deaths demonstrate: guns, pit bulls, & responsible parenting do not mix.)

32) Unknown,  18 months,  9-23-2024,  Newark, NJ.  Killed in home while in care of babysitter.

(See Deaths demonstrate: guns, pit bulls, & responsible parenting do not mix.)

33) Zoey Hawkins,  4,  9-4-2024,  Visalia, CA.  Killed in home.

(See Deaths demonstrate: guns, pit bulls, & responsible parenting do not mix.)

34) Leslie McCray, 56,  9-22-2024,  Conway, SC.  Killed by neighbor’s pit bull.

(See Skunks, raccoons, bears, bad bugs & pit bulls, oh my! in the Carolinas.)

35) Jimmy Miller,  72,  9-25-2024,  Cardwell, MO.  Killed by rescue pit bull.

(See Skunks, raccoons, bears, bad bugs & pit bulls, oh my! in the Carolinas.)

36) Unidentified,  10-4-2024,  Albuquerque, NM.  Apparently killed by alleged hoarder’s pit bulls.

36) Jiryiah Johnson,  1,  10-7-2024,  Converse, TX.  Killed by babysitter’s three pit bulls.

(See Texas 13-year-old fought three pit bulls in losing battle to save baby boy.)

37) Chevy Womack,  1 month,  10-8-2024,  Torrance, CA.  Killed by mother’s pit bull.

(See Snuga Swings recalled; killed 5 babies in 10 years. What about pit bulls?)

38) James Provost,  59,  10-9-2024,  Albany, NY.  Killed by 8-9 pit bulls in alleged drug house yard.

(See 3 dead, 2 critical in first 10 days of National Pit Bull Awareness Month.)

39) Juanita L. Sanchez,  35,  11-3-2024,  Fontana, CA.  Killed by two of her four “rescued” pit bulls.

(See Five pit bull fatalities in first week of November 2024 include 3 in one day)

40) Unidentified homeless man,  11-3-2024,  San Bernardino, CA.  Killed by 11 pit bulls.

(See Another Kansas City pit bull fatality intensifies spotlight on KC Pet Project.)

41) Chris Culbertson,  46,  11-3-2024,  Kansas City,  MO.  Killed by seven pit bulls.

(See Another Kansas City pit bull fatality intensifies spotlight on KC Pet Project.)

42) Jeriline Brady-McGinnis,  73,  11-19-2024, Roxbury, MA.  Killed by tenant’s pit,  one of four.

(See Boston civil rights leader defied the KKK but feared tenant’s pit bulls.)

43) Unidentified woman,  51, 11-25-2024,  Philadelphia, PA.  Killed by son’s multiple pit bulls.

44) Caleb Joseph Brown,  8,  11-29-2024,  Jacksonville, NC.  Killed by two Great Dane/pit bulls kept by family.

45) Velma Leake,  92,  12-3-2024,  Rochester, NY.  Killed at home by family pit bull.

(See History repeats in four pit bull fatalities near scenes of previous attacks.)

46) Pedro Luis Ortega,  26,  12-13-2024,  Mira Mesa, CA.  Killed by own three XL Bullies.

(See Justice upholds “XL Bully” ban as both U.K. & U.S. pit bull body counts soar.)

47) Hector Pierna, 78  12-16-2024,  Beaumont, TX.  Killed by two pit bulls.

(See Justice upholds “XL Bully” ban as both U.K. & U.S. pit bull body counts soar.)

48) Lexis Salas,  18,  12-16-2024,  Madera County, CA.  Killed by two pit bulls.

(See Justice upholds “XL Bully” ban as both U.K. & U.S. pit bull body counts soar.)

49) Samara Rogers,  21,  12-18-2024,  Augusta,  GA.  Killed in street by two pit bulls.

(See Justice upholds “XL Bully” ban as both U.K. & U.S. pit bull body counts soar.)

50) Unknown man, 12-20-2024,  Simi Valley, CA.  Suffered heart attack trying to stop attack after his pit bull attacked  a Rottweiler.

(See Pit bull victim Kingsley Wright, age 3, was 70th dog attack death of 2024.)

51) Kingsley Renee Wright,  3, 12-27-2024,  Cincinnati, OH.  Father’s two pit bull.

(See Pit bull victim Kingsley Wright, age 3, was 70th dog attack death of 2024.)

52) Anaya Eyvelle Davis,  2, 12-29-2024,  Wichita Falls, TX.

(See Texas pit bull victim Anaya Davis, 2, is record 71st U.S. dog attack fatality of 2024.)

ROTTWEILER

1) Man, not named,  80,  7-4-2024,  Houston, TX.  Killed by neighbor’s two Rottweilers.

2) Adaya Fisher,  2,  7-29-2024,  Houston, TX.  Killed by babysitter’s three Rottweilers.

(See Rottweilers kill woman & baby within 75 minutes in separate attacks.)

3) Amelia Yu,  5,  12-8-2024,  Covina, CA.  Killed by father’s two Rottweilers.

(See Justice upholds “XL Bully” ban as both U.K. & U.S. pit bull body counts soar.)

DOGS UNIDENTIFIED

1) Rogelio Garza,  59,  1-16-2024,  Mission, TX.

(See Pit bull death of 85-year-old spotlights Hidalgo County animal control disaster.)

2) Lester Peneaux,  9,  5-1-2024, Eagle Butte, MT.  Killed by “feral dogs.”

(See Pit bull death of 85-year-old spotlights Hidalgo County animal control disaster.)

3) Joni Hatcher,  59,  7-7-2024, Caddo Parish, LA.  Killed while dog sitting multiple dogs of unidentified breed.

(See Worst dog attack month in two years includes death in Gaza firefight.)

4) Unidentified man,  9-27-2024,  Durham, NC.  Found dead in home just before Hurricane Helene.

(See Skunks, raccoons, bears, bad bugs & pit bulls, oh my! in the Carolinas.)

5) Francisco Batz-Lux,  42,  12-22-2024,  Albertville, AL.  Found dead in trailer park.

(See Pit bull victim Kingsley Wright, age 3, was 70th dog attack death of 2024.)

U.S. CITIZEN KILLED IN MEXICO

(not included in totals)

1) Mina Bast,  48,  2-5-2024,  San Felipe, Baja California.  Killed by pit bulls who were part of a pack of 10 attacking a smaller dog at the Pai Phi Tourist Camp.  A 75-year-old couple who allegedly owned the pit bulls were arrested.

Complete updated data: 

Dog attack deaths & maimings, U.S. & Canada,  1982-2024

In addition to the 72 dog attack fatalities listed above,  with links to our previous coverage,  ANIMALS 24-7 in 2024 added to our 42-year running log of fatal and disfiguring dog attacks in the U.S. and Canada 793 fatal or disfiguring attacks by individual dogs,  injuring 154 children,  and 390 adults,  leaving 424 of them (besides the dead) with injuries rating a high four,  five,  or six on the Ian Dunbar scale of severity.

(For explanation of the Dunbar scale,  see https://apdt.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ian-dunbar-dog-bite-scale.pdf.)

Among the attacking dogs in 2024 were 517 pit bulls (65%),  who injured 94 children (61%),  and 251 adults (64%),  accounting for 67% of the dog attack disfigurements and 71% of the deaths.

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