92-year-old woman dies after being mauled by pitbulls in Thurston County

A 92-year-old woman who was mauled by four pit bulls Sunday in Thurston County has died from her injuries, according to KIRO 7.

Gladys Alexander, a World War II veteran, was attacked by four pit bull mix dogs inside a neighbor’s home in Thurston County. Sgt. Tim Rudloff told KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson that the investigation has found that Alexander was possibly dropping off a newspaper and that she let herself into the unoccupied home.

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Rudloff called it a “horrifically brutal” attack, with massive blood stains inside the house and that it appears the dogs dragged the woman around the corner of a wall until the homeowner arrived after hearing the commotion.

Rudloff said Alexander was to be taken off life-support Tuesday morning, and if she had survived that, would have needed an arm and leg amputated.

The victim’s son told KIRO 7 that charges should be considered because of the degree of violence involved in the attack, but Rudloff told Dori that there was no crime.

“The dogs were where they were supposed to be, on their owner’s property, within, in fact, the home of the homeowner,” he said.

“A lot of people … when they first hear the story, they assume that and want somebody to be responsible, they want somebody to pay for it,” he added. “And the first thing, of course, you think of is there’s got to be a crime that applies here. And, unfortunately, that’s just simply not the case.”

Rudloff said it’s believed that the homeowner has agreed to have her dog euthanized, but that the other three animals belong to her daughter, who is incarcerated. The animals are in a 10-day quarantine at the home, and that Animal Services will investigate whether there should be a dangerous dog designation, he said.

Dori, an avid dog lover and pit bull admirer, noted that this story does not help instill confidence in those who distrust the powerful pit bull breed or their owners.

“It is such a stereotype of the pit bull owner who cannot stay out of trouble themselves,” he said. “But the dogs were secured in a house so I don’t see how you can charge the dog owners here.”