2025 is turning out to be a surprising year for serious criminal charges against the owners of pit bulls. IIRC, this is the second murder charge.
The reason is that more people have been killed by pit bulls and pit mixes than any other years AND law enforcement is prosecuting the owners.
Article text, bolding added:
DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. —
A Thomasville woman was arrested Wednesday, less than a month after her dogs mauled and killed a 73-year-old man.
Elaina Bryant, 56, was charged with second-degree murder and 17 counts of felony animal abuse. She is being held on $500,000 bond. Bryant is expected to face a judge Jan. 5.
On Nov. 18th, the Davidson County Sheriff's Office said it responded to a home on Jeanette Lane in Thomasville for a reported cardiac arrest.
Deputies said they found Michael Bodenheimer lying deceased in the front yard of the home. He suffered numerous injuries consistent with a dog attack. An autopsy confirmed he died due to injuries sustained in the mauling.
Hours after finding Bodenheimer, Animal Control captured 17 canines, identified as mixed-breed pit bulls. These dogs were euthanized and transported to a local veterinary facility, where exams confirmed that they attacked Bodenheimer.
Bodenheimer's family released the following statement after his death:
“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our father. He was deeply loved, and his absence has left a pain that words cannot fully express.
We are aware that charges have been filed in connection with his death. At this time, we ask for privacy as we continue to grieve and support one another. We have full confidence in the legal process and will allow it to move forward without further comment.
Our focus remains on honoring our father’s life, his values, and the love he shared with those around him. We appreciate the support, prayers, and kindness that have been extended to our family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Bodenheimer was a member of the Fair Grove Fire Department. They released the following statement:
"Mike was a long time member of the Fair Grove Fire Department serving the Fair Grove community for many years. This particular incident involving one of our own has hit the department pretty hard since several of our current members served with him . Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as well as our own members. "
Very pleased to see she has been charged, let's hope for a conviction and a lengthy sentence. This and holding rescues legally accountable, financially accountable is likely the one way we will start to see some real change.
All shitbull owners need charged when their dogs attack whether they kill or not! If you choose to bring a dangerous dog into your home and it hurts someone or their pet you should be criminally responsible!! It shouldn’t matter whether dogs been aggressive before or not. They should’ve been prepared as it’s an aggressive breed. And this chic had like 17 dogs. That is just insane!!
Absolutely. We need severe national punishments to make all dog owners care enough to prevent that first attack!
It's about time the police started making the owners of these monsters pay! At least it lets us know that law enforcement hasn't just washhed their hands of things and figured they're "just pets". They are dangerous psychos who can flip at a moment's notice. It's like having a weapon with a mind of its own.
They euthed the mankillers! Amazing! Finally!
Finally thank god some charges. These people are monsters and they should be charged no matter the outcome of the attack but this is a good start I just hope people start to wake up before more and more people are horrifically murdered in this way.
Seventeen canines 😱
I hope there is no attempt to re-home them.
They were all euthanized
Pit owners like to say it's not the breed it's how the they're raised whenever a pit mauls. Following that logic It makes sense that the owner of the mauling pit is criminally charged as they are responsible for how they treat the dog and its behavior.
Omg I just read his obituary - he looks and sounds like such a lovely man who contributed to the community in such a positive way, only to have his life abruptly ended by these revolting murder mongrels. Glad to see the tide turning on legal repercussions.
Do judges and prosecutors read the sub? 🤔
The legal tide is turning. If this starts to become more frequent, verdicts and sentencing can be established through stare decisis, which can help push lawmakers to adopt laws around responsibility for injury by dogs
Not much detail in that article very curious where the charge is coming from and what she specifically did or did not do
r/law is a better sub for that. IANAL. Even if I had the charging documents, I would need someone else to translate them for me.
Copy of text post for attack logging purposes: 2025 is turning out to be a surprising year for serious criminal charges against the owners of pit bulls. IIRC, this is the second murder charge.
The reason is that more people have been killed by pit bulls and pit mixes than any other years AND law enforcement is prosecuting the owners.
Article text, bolding added:
DAVIDSON COUNTY, N.C. —
A Thomasville woman was arrested Wednesday, less than a month after her dogs mauled and killed a 73-year-old man.
Elaina Bryant, 56, was charged with second-degree murder and 17 counts of felony animal abuse. She is being held on $500,000 bond. Bryant is expected to face a judge Jan. 5.
On Nov. 18th, the Davidson County Sheriff's Office said it responded to a home on Jeanette Lane in Thomasville for a reported cardiac arrest.
Deputies said they found Michael Bodenheimer lying deceased in the front yard of the home. He suffered numerous injuries consistent with a dog attack. An autopsy confirmed he died due to injuries sustained in the mauling.
Hours after finding Bodenheimer, Animal Control captured 17 canines, identified as mixed-breed pit bulls. These dogs were euthanized and transported to a local veterinary facility, where exams confirmed that they attacked Bodenheimer.
Bodenheimer's family released the following statement after his death:
“Our family is heartbroken by the loss of our father. He was deeply loved, and his absence has left a pain that words cannot fully express.
We are aware that charges have been filed in connection with his death. At this time, we ask for privacy as we continue to grieve and support one another. We have full confidence in the legal process and will allow it to move forward without further comment.
Our focus remains on honoring our father’s life, his values, and the love he shared with those around him. We appreciate the support, prayers, and kindness that have been extended to our family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Bodenheimer was a member of the Fair Grove Fire Department. They released the following statement:
"Mike was a long time member of the Fair Grove Fire Department serving the Fair Grove community for many years. This particular incident involving one of our own has hit the department pretty hard since several of our current members served with him . Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as well as our own members. "
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
IF YOU ARE POSTING AN ATTACK - PLEASE INCLUDE DATE AND LOCATION IN THE POST TITLE, and please paste the article text in the post so it's easy to read.
This helps keep the sub organized and easily searchable.
Posts missing this information may be removed and asked to repost.
Welcome to BanPitBulls! This is a reminder that this is a victims' subreddit with the primary goal to discuss attacks by and the inherent dangers of pit bulls.
Users should assume that any comment made in this subreddit will be reported by pit bull supporters, so please familiarize yourself with the rules of our sub to prevent having your account sanctioned by Reddit.
If you need information and resources on self-defense, or a guide for "After the attack", please see our side bar (or FAQ).
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
It’s at least the 3rd charge! One for baby Royal, Locklynn and this one.