A tragic incident in Florida has left a woman dead after being mauled by two dogs.
Woman Killed in Dog Attack in Cocoa, Florida
Jodi Cowan, 50, was walking her small dog near her home in Cocoa, Florida, early on May 19 when she was attacked by two larger dogs, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) and reports from Fox 35 Orlando, WESH, and Florida Today.
Surveillance footage obtained by Fox 35 shows Cowan carrying her small dog as two mixed-breed dogs chased her onto the road. The video cuts off just before the attack, but authorities confirmed that Cowan sustained severe injuries and was transported to a hospital, where she later died.
Eyewitness Account
Cowan’s partner, Donnell Smith, witnessed the attack and described seeing the dogs dragging her down the road around 1 a.m. He said, “I saw the silhouette of the two dogs dragging my wife down the road, off into the grass.”
Smith followed the dogs and found Cowan lying in a pool of blood, with bites all over her body. When the dogs returned, he fended them off with a knife while trying to stop her bleeding. He called 911, and Cowan was airlifted to the hospital, but she died two hours later.
“She just loved people, loved dogs more than people, and for her to go out that way, it’s not right,” Smith told WESH, remembering his late partner.
Investigation and Legal Action
The BCSO’s animal division is investigating the incident. As of May 21, no charges have been filed against the dogs’ owner.
Florida law requires any dangerous dogs to be seized by animal control and quarantined for at least 10 business days during investigations. Owners of dogs that seriously injure or kill someone may face criminal penalties, ranging from a first-degree misdemeanor to a second-degree felony.
This tragic attack serves as a reminder to be cautious around unfamiliar dogs and underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and public safety.
