A tragic incident in Brevard County, Florida has taken an increasingly troubling turn as investigators work to piece together the circumstances surrounding a fatal dog attack and the subsequent mysterious deaths of three other animals.
Jodi Cowan, a 50-year-old Florida resident, died following a vicious attack by two dogs on May 19 while walking her own pet near her home. The dogs’ owner, 29-year-old Linda Cutler, now faces manslaughter charges and is being held without bond in the Brevard County Jail. Her arrest came eight days after the attack that claimed her neighbor’s life.
Court documents have revealed disturbing details about the incident and the history of the animals involved. The two year-old dogs, identified as pit bull and Catahoula leopard mix littermates named Max and Mako, had previously attacked other individuals and had demonstrated aggressive behavior toward their owner.
The attack occurred at nearly 2 a.m. when Cowan’s partner of 30 years, Donnell Smith, heard her cries for help outside their home. Smith rushed into the darkness to assist her, armed with a knife to fend off the attacking animals. During an eight-minute emergency call, Smith frantically attempted to stop the bleeding from Cowan’s neck while the dogs continued their assault.
The recording captured Cowan in the background stating, “I’m dying. Can’t breathe.” Smith informed the emergency operator that the dogs had severely injured her throat. Medical personnel transported Cowan by helicopter to a trauma center, but her injuries proved fatal. Court records indicate her wounds included a severed carotid artery and jugular vein.
This was not the first time Smith had intervened to stop these particular dogs from attacking someone. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the same two animals had attacked another neighbor on April 14, approximately one month before the fatal incident involving Cowan.
The investigation has now expanded following a discovery made on June 11. Deputies responded to a call regarding a foul odor at the travel trailer where Cowan had been residing at the time of the attack. There, authorities found three dogs deceased. Tod Goodyear, public information officer for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed that the residence was under the control of Cowan’s boyfriend at the time of the discovery.
Authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of these three animals. The case remains active as investigators await necropsy results to determine the cause of death. Goodyear indicated that any potential charges would depend upon the findings of these examinations. He clarified that Cowan’s own dog, which she had been walking at the time of the attack, was not among the animals found dead.
The case raises serious questions about animal control procedures and owner responsibility when dogs display patterns of aggressive behavior. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to establish a complete timeline of events and determine whether additional charges may be warranted based on the evidence gathered from both incidents.
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