Stray dogs are searching for food after snowfall has covered the entire area in Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India, on February 1, 2024. (Photo by Nasir Kachroo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
An Indiana man bravely stepped in to defend his wife during a dog attack and lost his life in the process.
According to 21Alive, 85-year-old William Mundine was mauled early Tuesday (Jan. 30). Hours later, he passed away from the injuries in a local hospital.
William’s wife, Betty, told the outlet there were three stray dogs in their yard when they arrived home that morning. The dogs reportedly ran towards them, but she managed to escape into the house. According to his granddaughter, Holly Watkins, William had tried to “shoo” away the two pit bulls and another dog. The exact breed of all three dogs remains unclear.
Instead, the animals turned their aggression on William and reportedly bit him “all over his arms and legs.” His wife WTHR that the Indiana man “fought as best he could.” Betty added that her late husband “saved” her life and was “a hero” in the situation.
“Thank God for him. He lived to be 85 years old,” Betty Mundine said. “He’s been blessed. He is going to be missed.”
For context, the attack reportedly happened in the 2300 Block of North Kenyon Street, near East 21st Street and North Arlington Avenue.
William and Betty’s daughter, Melissa Mundine, spoke about the dogs being “on the loose for weeks.” Not only have aggressive dogs been in the open streets, but they’ve also been carrying out similar attacks.
“Every day, they just come in people’s yards,” granddaughter Holly said. “Like just last night, we were in the backyard – and they ran up on us – and we just had to kinda run and wait for them to leave.”
Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) told 13 News there have been at least three dog attacks this week in the same area as the Mundine’s home. One incident, per animal control officials, happened near a school bus stop.
When William was attacked, animal control officers were already in the area, sweeping for aggressive animals. Indianapolis Metro PD (IMPD) was also in the area.
Following the attack on William, an IMPD officer shot one of the dogs. The animal reportedly survived and is impounded receiving care. Meanwhile, IACS has captured the second dog.
However, the third dog, brown and medium-sized, had not been captured as of Tuesday evening, per 21Alive. At least four control officers were scheduled to search the area on Wednesday, but the search results remain unclear.
Animal care services and local police are now working to identify the owners of the dog that was shot and impounded.
Holly told the press that “it’s scary” having such aggressive animals on the loose. Like officials, she wants to “find the owners of the dogs” and “get this situation handled.”
Watch the full coverage here.
