A tragic incident unfolded in Tyler, Texas, when a 23-year-old college student was fatally attacked by three pit bulls she was pet-sitting. Madison Riley was discovered lifeless in the backyard of a residential property around 4:15 p.m. on Friday, according to local law enforcement.
A concerned neighbor dialed 911, prompting deputies from the Smith County Sheriff’s Office to rush to the scene. By the time they arrived, the pit bulls had already attacked Riley. When the dogs turned their attention towards one of the deputies, he was forced to draw his service weapon and shoot one of the dogs, resulting in its death, as reported by Sergeant Larry Christian, a public information officer with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
Riley, who was studying for a bachelor’s degree in childhood education, was inspired by her younger brother diagnosed with autism. Her mother, Jennifer Hubbell, was devastated by the news of her daughter’s death, stating that she “just dropped to [her] knees” upon hearing the news.
Hubbell is still grappling with the tragic event, especially since Riley had noted a recent change in the dogs’ behavior. According to Hubbell, Riley had mentioned that the dogs hadn’t always acted aggressively. Riley, an experienced dog-sitter and animal enthusiast, had previously cared for the family’s children for extended periods and believed that looking after the pit bulls would be manageable.
At the time of the incident, it remains unclear whether Riley was also caring for the family’s children. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the homeowners were out of town during the attack.
Riley was on track to graduate from the University of Texas at Tyler in six months. Her specialization in early childhood education was influenced by her younger brother’s experiences with autism. Hubbell shared that Riley’s students from kindergarten to third grade adored her, and she had a knack for making every child feel secure, special, and loved.
A court hearing concerning the two surviving pit bulls is slated for Wednesday.