Family mourns mother killed in West Baltimore stray dog attack: ‘She cared about everybody’
The family of the woman killed in a stray dog attack in West Baltimore says she was a generous person known to help anyone who needed it.
“She was very giving even when she didn’t have it,” said Paulette Jones, Sheila Jones’ daughter. “She cared about everybody. She helped whoever she was able to help.”
Sheila Jones, 54, was killed the night of June 14 by stray dogs in an alley near her home. According to her daughter, Jones was headed to the store when she saw two people being attacked by dogs.
Officers responded around 8:51 p.m. to the 2000 block of North Pulaski Street to reports of a dog biting people. There they found two pit bulls attacking three people.
Jones tried to run back into her home through the alley, but she was pulled back by the pit bulls, her daughter said. Officers arrived and saw two dogs attacking three people.
Melton Montgomery, who has lived in the area for nearly two months, said four dogs were running loose in the neighborhood and believes they were likely owned by someone nearby since they were wearing collars.
“The two were the only ones they caught, but there are two loose,” Montgomery said. “We saw four dogs. I was right here, and they were trying to kill.”
Neighbors said two of the pit bulls chased officers, and according to Baltimore Police, officers ended up shooting one of the dogs.
“Police were running for their life,” Montgomery said.
A 67-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening dog bites while Jones died from her injuries. The family learned of her death around 1 p.m. on Saturday, her daughter said.
“I had just spoken with her the day before this happened and that’s why I thought this can’t be my mother,” her daughter said. “I was so lost for words.”
The dog who was shot was euthanized due to the severity of their injuries. According to police, the other dog remains in custody.
The case is still under investigation. A GoFundMe account was started by family and friends to help pay for Sheila Jones’ funeral.
