JAMAICA -- The St Catherine North Police were up to last night still trying to locate the owner of a pit bull that mauled to death a 62-year-old woman in March Pen, Spanish Town, on Monday evening.
The owner of the animal reportedly fled the area following the attack on Valerie Stephenson, fondly called 'Mamma' by her neighbours.
According to the police, the woman was attacked by the animal around 7:00 pm following a visit to a relative's home in the tough Spanish Town community.
Attempts were said to have been made by residents to rescue the elderly woman from the jaws of the animal but all that proved futile. Stephenson eventually succumbed to bites she received to her throat and chest when she was taken to the Spanish Town Hospital.
The Spanish Town police, who are investigating, have described the incident as "death by misadventure".
According to a release from the police, the brown and white pit bull was later found lying on his right side with a gunshot wound to the body. It was not clear, however, who killed the animal.
The police have, in the meantime, warned owners of dogs to ensure the animals are properly secured.
(Jamaica Observer - July 20, 2011)
