Just over a week after a deadly dog attack in Miami Gardens, police say DNA test results could identify the dogs that mauled and killed a 71-year-old grandmother.
Doreen Broadbelt was walking to work early on Labor Day when the dogs attacked her in the school yard of Norwood Elementary School.
“Our detectives were able to identify approximately six dogs; the dogs were swabbed for DNA,” said Emmanuel Jeanty, executive officer of the Miami Gardens Police Department. “As soon as we get the results back, it will help us advance our investigation.”
Jeanty also said these are not stray dogs.
“Those dogs are owned by individuals that live in that community,” he said.
Police are investigating after a woman was killed in an apparent dog attack in Miami Gardens on Monday, officials said.
I asked him if the owners of those dogs could face charges if it turns out that their dogs attacked the victim.
“Like I said, it’s still early in the investigation, so that is something we’re gonna lean on the state attorney’s office to guide us through because this is new for us and new for them as well,” Jeanty said.
For the first time since the tragedy, the mayor of the city is speaking out.
“First thing, I would like the residents and the family to know how deeply sorry we are that this event took place, it’s a tragedy and we really sympathize with the family and we’re doing everything in our power to ensure that events like this doesn’t happen again,” said Rodney Harris, mayor of Miami Gardens.
It was the main topic of discussion at a neighborhood watch meeting last night. Residents are worried about dogs running loose and school kids potentially being attacked.
Neighbors in Miami Gardens are gathering after a horrific incident happened last week when a woman was mauled to death by dogs in the neighborhood. NBC6’s Lena Salzbank reports
“Neighbors saying this is not the first time dogs were either attacking another neighbor or what have you, but it was never reported to the police,” Jeanty said.
Miami-Dade County Animal Services confirmed that they have not received any calls regarding stray or loose dogs in the neighborhood.
“In regard to that area, near the school, we did check the system and there were no calls reported in that area,” said Gaby Dominguez of Animal Services.
If they see something, say something, that’s just like with any other crime,” said Mayor Harris, urging residents to call 311 or even 911 to report aggressive animals.
Animal Services also confirmed that they issued citations to two dog owners for not having proof of rabies vaccinations. One owns two dogs and the other owns four. These are the same six dogs whose DNA was sampled.
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