Police said a mother of three from Pennsylvania was mauled to death by her two dogs while she was trying to feed them as a favor to a neighbor who was away.
Kristin Potter, 38, died on Thursday, March 16, after being attacked by two Great Danes, according to a state police statement.
The incident occurred in Center Township, Pennsylvania. According to Perry County Coroner Robert Ressler, the victim had gone to her neighbor’s house with her young son. The dogs suddenly turned on her, and her son ran for help.
Ressler told a local news outlet that the boy was present at the scene, but he missed much of the horrific mauling because he ran across the street to his brother for help.
Officers arrived within minutes but were unable to save the woman. To get to Potter, they had to wait until animal control officers arrived and tranquilized the dogs.
According to a family friend, police believe the dogs were already fighting when Potter and her son arrived, and attacked her when she tried to separate them.
Her death was ruled accidental by the medical examiner, and her cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries.
It is unknown whether the owner will be charged.
Officers from animal control took the two dogs to a veterinarian, who euthanized them. According to the police, a third dog was present at the scene but did not take part in the attack.
Potter’s husband, Jacob Presley Fickett, stated that she was a mother of three, but that one of her children died in a car accident in 2021. Potter was described as an angel by her distraught husband.
Great Danes can grow to be as tall as 32 inches and are known for being easygoing and affectionate, but their friendliness should not be confused with softness.