Woman fatally mauled by pack of dogs she was feeding while owner was away, AL cops say

A pack of five to 10 dogs attacked a woman who was taking care of them while their owner was out of town, Alabama authorities said.

The 46-year-old woman didn’t survive her injuries, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a Feb. 7 news release.

The morning of Feb. 6, the woman went to the property to feed the dogs for their owner, deputies said. Then at about 9 a.m., someone called 911 to report a pack of dogs was mauling a woman in the front yard of a home.

First responders said they attempted life-saving measures, but the woman died. The sheriff’s office declined to release further details about the woman’s identity.

The violent crimes unit said the incident didn’t appear to be criminal in nature.

Tuscaloosa County is about a 70-mile drive southwest from Birmingham.

What to know about dog attacks

“Dog bites can cause pain, injury, and spread germs that cause infection,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. “Nearly 1 in 5 people bitten by a dog requires medical attention.”

Dogs bite more than 4.5 million people each year in the U.S., and nearly 800,000 of those people need medical attention, according to the CDC.

Any dog can bite if they feel scared or nervous, or if they want to be alone. You should never approach a dog that seems angry or scared, the CDC said.

If an unfamiliar dog comes up to you, officials say you should:

• Stay calm and be still.

• Avoid eye contact with the dog.

• Don’t panic or make loud noises. Don’t run.

• Say “no” or “go home” in a deep voice. Stand with the side of your body toward the dog.

• Slowly raise your hands to your neck and back away slowly.

This story was originally published February 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Woman fatally mauled by pack of dogs she was feeding while owner was away, AL cops say."