While dogsitting at her Greensboro, North Carolina, home, a grandmother was mauled to death when the dogs turned against her.
According to police reports, Trena Peed, 46, cared for two pit bulls in her home. On July 7, she let the dogs out of the backyard around 2:00 a.m. when they turned against her.
Neighbors said they heard Peed’s screams during the attack.
“It’s dark. All I hear is her yelling and her dogs over there attacking her,” one neighbor said while calling the police.
The Greensboro resident’s son woke after hearing Peed’s screams. Upon getting up, he found his mother dead.
Responding police ended up shooting one of the dogs. They were both placed in quarantine at Guilford County Animal Services.
The owners of the dogs have yet to be released.
Police have not filed any criminal charges, but Peed’s daughter Waynesha and her mother Helen Harris believe charges should be filed against the owners.
“Whoever the owner is, they need to come forward because they say they love my daughter. This is not showing love for her right now,” said Harris. “I understand it was not intentional, but I just talked to my daughter on Tuesday, and I told her you need to get (those) dogs out of your house.”
Peed’s daughter Waynesha said, “That’s your responsibility. Yeah, she was watching them (but) that’s still your responsibility.”
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Peed’s tragic death comes after losing two of her eight children in a car crash.
Her daughter wrote of her strength, noting “she has endured and overcome so much, most recently losing two of her sons two years apart, both by tragic car accidents.”
Harris said her husband also passed away.
Peed’s daughter started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for funeral expenses.
“My mom has always been a true example of strength, love, and determination,” Waynesha wrote. “My siblings, grandmother, family, & I are heartbroken at her sudden passing.”
According to The American Veterinary Medical Association, “more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States.” In addition, more than 800,000 people receive medical attention for dog bites, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Although pit bulls are often classified as “aggressive” breeds, it is essential to remember that any dog can bite, regardless of species. A dog’s temperament, history, and behavior can all impact its aggressiveness towards people.
