Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office: Dogs who attacked and killed woman at-large

OKLAHOMA COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) – The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Workplace says the suspicious loss of life of a 61-year-old girl Sunday has been dominated a canine assault.

Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III stated Tuesday the investigation is not contemplating a murder. As an alternative, it’s now being dominated a canine assault.

Johnson stated they initially thought it might have been a stabbing, however it seems the girl was mauled by a number of canine in her personal entrance yard.

“Very tragic, very tragic,” Johnson stated. “I’ll inform you, that’s a tragic option to die, to cross away, and so our coronary heart goes out to her household.”

The sufferer was recognized as 61-year-old Anita Mears.

The assault occurred close to SE 44^th Avenue and Catfish Drive in Newalla.

“Mrs. Mears’ canine was additionally injured within the assault,” Johnson stated. “We imagine that the canine was making an attempt to guard her.”

The sheriff’s workplace initially referred to as the loss of life suspicious and believed Mears’s accidents had been according to a number of stab wounds.

An individual of curiosity was additionally introduced in at first however was rapidly launched.

“This isn’t a suspect, it is a individual of curiosity,” Johnson stated. “So, an individual of curiosity can imply a mess of issues. That may imply somebody who was close by who may have probably seen one thing occur, a witness, and so we attempt to get involved with these folks and get a greater story.”

Nonetheless, the Oklahoma County Coroner’s Workplace informed them she wasn’t stabbed, she was bitten.

KFOR spoke with a close-by neighbor off digicam who lived within the space of Mears’ house for over 40 years. The neighbor stated they knew Mears and she or he was a “good neighbor.”

Nonetheless, this neighbor stated they’d seen coyotes go to the pond on Mears’ property prior to now, however had not seen any just lately.

Johnson stated proper now there aren’t any witnesses to what precisely occurred, so particulars on which might be unclear right now.

The canine may additionally nonetheless be roaming free.

“If you happen to see a pack of canine, keep away and please name the police,” Johnson stated. “Clearly, they journey in packs to allow them to be harmful once they try this. So, please keep away, shield your self and name the police.”

Johnson stated they haven’t but situated the canine in query and that it’s clearly not unusual to see canine roaming out in rural areas of Oklahoma County and past. Johnson added that they do usually work with municipal animal management companies in conditions like these.