Willie Mundine, 85, lost his life on January 30, 2024, after being attacked by two ferocious dogs outside his residence in Indianapolis, Indiana, located near Kenyon St. and Nimitz Dr.
Recalling the horrifying experience, Mundine’s granddaughter, Holly Watkins, revealed that the dogs initially targeted her grandmother.
Mundine courageously stepped in to shield his wife from the dogs, which resulted in his being the focus of their aggression. The dogs were characterized as resembling pit bulls, one brown and one black and white.
After suffering numerous bite injuries on his arms and legs, Mundine was found critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he eventually succumbed to his injuries. His death was confirmed on the same day by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD).
This tragic incident has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of stray and aggressive dogs within the neighborhood.
Mark Lowe, a local resident, reported a previous attack by the same dogs and had informed the Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) about their potential threat. Lowe expressed his frustration, remembering how he had warned the authorities about the possible deadly nature of these dogs.
Responding to the attack on Mundine, an IMPD officer shot one of the dogs to halt the aggression. The injured dog is now under the care of IACS.
Efforts to locate the second dog, described as black and white, are currently underway. IMPD has called for community help in identifying the dogs’ owners and released a photograph of the brown dog involved in the attack.
Data provided by IACS shows an alarming increase in animal bite incidents within the community, from 720 in 2020 to over 1,135 in 2023.
The Mundine family expressed their concern and anxiety, shedding light on the frequent fear instilled by aggressive dogs in their neighborhood.
Acknowledging the increasing number of dog attacks in the area, including near school bus stops, IACS is focusing on public safety issues. The agency is currently on the hunt for the second dog involved in the attack.
Authorities are advising the public to exercise caution around stray or aggressive dogs and to contact emergency services if they feel threatened. The IMPD stresses the importance of determining whether the dogs are strays or identifying their owners to avoid similar incidents in the future.
