An eight-year-old boy, Michael Millett, tragically lost his life in a brutal dog attack in DeLand, Florida, on Monday afternoon. Millett was riding his bicycle with a friend in the Berry Ridge neighborhood when he encountered two dogs at the entrance of the community. Initially, the interaction appeared friendly, with Millett stopping to pet the animals. However, the situation quickly escalated, turning violent as the dogs, identified as a Pit Bull Terrier and potentially a Catahoula or similar herding breed, suddenly attacked the young boy.
The attack, described by Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood as “malicious,” resulted in twelve bite wounds on Millett’s body. Despite the efforts of his mother, who bravely tried to shield him and performed CPR, the boy succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Sheriff Chitwood, visibly shaken by the incident, vowed to hold the dogs’ owner accountable and ensure the animals are euthanized. The severity and extent of Millett’s injuries suggest a swift and horrific attack, though the precise duration remains unclear.
Following the attack, deputies pursued the dogs back to their property, where they were apprehended by Volusia County Animal Services. DNA samples were taken from each bite wound to definitively link the captured dogs to the attack. The dogs’ owner, already known to law enforcement for previous drug-related, domestic violence, and assault charges, was not present at the time of the incident or when the dogs returned to the property, located approximately half a mile from the attack site.
Sheriff Chitwood expressed his determination to pursue negligence charges against the owner, emphasizing the need for accountability. Upon arriving at the owner’s property, deputies and animal control officers discovered an inadequately fenced yard, enabling the dogs to escape easily. This observation was corroborated by neighbors, who reported the dogs frequently roaming freely and even engaging in aggressive behaviors like killing chickens. Some neighbors also suggested the dogs may have been involved in a prior incident in a different county.
Despite these reports of the dogs’ unrestrained presence in the neighborhood, Sheriff Chitwood stated that neither the sheriff’s office nor animal services had received any prior 911 calls regarding the dogs or their address. He lamented this lack of reporting, emphasizing the community’s shared responsibility in ensuring public safety. The only 911 call related to the dogs was the one made on Monday reporting the tragic attack on Millett, during which his mother’s distraught cries for help can be heard in the background.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with state attorneys involved and a dog bite fatality expert working with the county medical examiner to determine further details, such as which dog initiated the attack and inflicted the most bites. Volusia County Animal Services Director Angela Miedema emphasized the significant responsibility that comes with pet ownership, including ensuring proper confinement, socialization, and training to prevent such tragedies. A GoFundMe campaign, organized by family members to support Millett’s grieving parents, describes the boy’s death as a “tragic accident” and highlights his vibrant personality, intelligence, humor, and adventurous spirit. The fundraiser has already surpassed $40,000, reflecting the community’s outpouring of support for the family during this devastating time.
