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CHICAGO -- A far west suburban firefighter and paramedic who was found dead in her home died as a result of an attack by one of her own dogs, the Kane County sheriff’s office said Wednesday.
Dawn Brown, 44, of the 400 block of Jefferson Street in Big Rock, was found dead by her husband at the bottom of the stairs in her home Monday afternoon. The paramedics who responded were her co-workers.
"It's just heartbreaking," said neighbor Mark Hake. "We would see them walking their dogs through town. [They were] very nice people."
Read the original report | More from NBCChicago.com
Brown and her husband had three dogs: a mastiff, boxer and pit bull mix breed. It was the 140-pound mastiff who attacked her, officials said.
It's not known what provoked the animal to attack, but Kane County Animal Control now has all three dogs in their custody. The mastiff was new to the home and was given to the couple by a family member about a week ago.
Brown was a full-time firefighter/paramedic for the Bristol Kendal Fire Protection District and a part-time paramedic for the Big Rock Fire Protection District. Her colleagues at Big Rock were too distraught to speak publicly about Brown on Wednesday. Bunting hung around her photo at Station One, at 103 Beaver St. in Yorkville.
A memorial service has been scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m. in Big Rock.
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My dog: 1/2 Presa Canario, 1/2 Pit Bull and 100% pussycat. "Buddy" is universally loved by everyone who meets him. Just because a dog is capable of inflicting harm doesn't mean he's predisposed to it; don't pre-judge dogs by breed.
It is called GENETICS. Some animals, especially humans, are programmed/imprinted, intentionally or otherwise, for certain behavior. Large dog breeds have the programming, whether we "think" our human traits can be pressed onto them or not. The realty is, too many humans are irrational and delusional about animal behaviors. We are who we are, and most other animals function at a more responsive/reactive/low level. Go ahead, love your dogs and cats, but they are NO substitute for human interaction and compassion, even though people try. HUMANS FIRST!
I use to date this girl who was a real dog and she would eat me! I didn't complain!The back of her head was the prettiest part!
As you already know, you are a sick and disgusting troll! Your family must be so proud! Sickening!
@ maso98
ROFLMAO....I have to remember that one....You crack me up...
and the objective of having a 140 lb dog in the house was... ???
Personal minefields!
Um, sounds like her "objective" was to give the dog a home after another family dumped him. The "objective" of having any dog, any size, I'd assume is to have a pet. I have a 175 lb Dane and a 145 lb Dane...no objective other than they are my pets and I adore them.
Natural Selection-So True!!!!!!1
Hey,this is unfair to the dog! No one gave out the weight of the woman.Who knows,she could have weighed 200 pounds.Then it would have been a fair fight!
The article said she had two older dogs already. I wonder if she was trying to break up a dog fight and things went bad. I could see how two bonded dogs in a pack might not be welcoming to the new wanna be alpha dog. I feel awful for her two dogs having to be at animal control. I really hope her husband tells us what they believe happened that night.
I had a littermate of the two Presa Canarios that attacked that woman in California and he was the best dog I have ever owned. I would have cloned him if I could. Those dogs in California were an unfortunate product of their environment. They were owned by a drug dealer and then his attorney, who had no animal training, took them. It was a recipe for disaster.
Huh What objective or agenda for having a 140 lb. dog in the house. Well how about love of dogs. Are you serious
Unfortunately all dogs have the possiblity to attack their owners, and with this Mastiff being 140 pounds it caused severe damage and death to it's owner. Now Mastiffs are gentle giants for the most part, they were raised initially to hunt lions and bait bears for hunting. However, today domesticated Mastiffs are gentle, great family dogs. Owners have to know the history before adopting these types of dogs because if they have an abusive background things of this nature have been known to happen with all types of dogs.
I happen to have St. Bernards, Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, Bernese Mountain and ONE Female Mastiff. She was received as a puppy, and took over the female dominate figure by putting over 40 staples in one of my smaller female dogs (my eldest and prior dominant female). They all get along great until one gets above their means and she steps in and has something to say. However, when I step into the mix, I am THE dominant female in my home as my husband is THE dominant male. Its all how you raise them, and do the research before adopting.
My heartfelt sympathies for this family, and hope they all recover soon.
maso-you are not funny but you are disgusting
First rule of thumb - in order to be a pet (of any kind), the human should have experience and know of what he/she might be getting into. There are many reasons animals are living in shelters, running loose, given away, and so on. I have three dogs of my own - all of them given to me. I've had other dogs from shelters. I try to find out as much as I can about the dogs' history and WHY they need homes. I've taken them on a trial basis until I see how they will fit into my household.
As far as the ignorant comments about horses, you people need to get a life. Horses are lucky that there are people out there who truly love and appreciate them. Most often times when a horse becomes vicious - no doubt a human was to blame.
Some things are better being left OUT of the news......the left-wing OWNED media has zero morals or values left....
socpage-I didn't read all the earlier comments. Did someone make mean remarks about horses. If they did they are lunatics-horses are beautiful creatures.
Thank you, Cheryl!
Beowolf-
"About the only large dogs who don't have this shame are the Great Dan, various Wolfhounds, Deer hounds and Borzoi."
A Borzoi IS a wolfhound-they are otherwise known as Russian wolfhounds.
@ Beowolf...Great Danes kill plenty of people. They can be quite aggressive...just like ANY breed of dog not raised correctly. I could NOT get homeowner's insurance with the company I'd had insurance with for 20+ years because of my two Danes...they didn't give a hoot about my pit bull but Danes were on their no-no list.
And yep, Borzoi are wolfhounds...most people seem to think they are "fuzzy Greyhounds" because of their long legs and long noses.
Such a travesty!!! There is no way of knowing when or why an animal will attack. RIP Dawn.
Money -you sound like another hysterical fearful person-this incident is not the norm. Do you realize how many pets reside in households. I would be far more fearful of humans than of animals. We yes we are capable of extraordinary feats of cruelty. Look at history, or just read the morning papers. Jeez people look at reality not fear and emotions
No doubt. Taking in a grown dog IS kind of like taking in a grown person. They both have to learn what is, and is not appropriate in the house they just moved into. But being grown, they are usually set in their ways already. You know the old saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks." It's true for both dogs AND people....
Old dogs CAN be taught anything you want to teach them. Dogs are very adaptable but it does take time with some of them (old and young). There is always a risk in taking in a very large, adult dog with an unknonwn history. This poor woman was trying to do something good and give an unwanted dog a home. I'm so sorry it turned out badly.
I've always had a dog in my life, ever since I was a small child. One time, me and my wife got a red doberman, already he was about 4 years old when we got him. He was given to us, and after about a week, he lunged up towards my throat, no joke..no lie, it happened. Fortunately he missed, and we gave him away soon after that.
You never know how an adult dog will act that has been given to you. Sometimes, it's how they are raised. Other times, it is how they perceive their new surroundings and their place in them. You just never know....sad that this family had to suffer like this though...
You are correct. They are animals and aggression can be either bred into them or their environment can create it. Once you see it, best not to keep the animal.
Are you sure he was going for your throat? My dogs will jump up to play
I'm sure just curious knows the difference between a dog jumping to play and growing for his throat. Duh!
Also, you should never allow a big dog to jump up at you to play. They should be trained to never jump at you or anyone else.
Absolutely sure. This was no play, his teeth were bared and he was growling. He was going for my throat.
He was standing up eating off the counter when I came into the kitchen. I scolded him for it and he lunged up at my throat with a growl and his teeth bared. If I hadn't moved backwards and called for my wife (who he for some reason minded better than me), then I probably would have been severely injured or dead.
And before you ask, NO I never hit the dog or mistreated him in any way. I love dogs, like I said, I've always had one, ever since I can remember...I have 4 in the house now, 3 small ones, and a Chow/Husky mix that I raised from birth.
Sorry that happened to you. It happens and glad you still have dogs. And people have rights-don't tell me how to play with my dogs. They play and know its playtime-they don't jump on other people. You are an idiot
Who was this directed to? I never told you how to play with your dogs. YOU should be more careful with your comments and SAY WHO you are talking to before opening your trap. If you do this with your dogs, then they're probably more confused than YOU are!
I don't think anyone is telling you HOW to play with your dogs. You probably know them better than anyone posting on this forum. But please, if you are commenting to 2 different people, then put @so-and-so before the appropriate sentence so that there aren't any misunderstandings, thanks!
I said people have rights-I should have added all people rights-I thought it was obvious who I was talking to. If you read just above your comments you would know who I was talking to. I looked at allpeople rights other comments and it is obvious he is a smart ass who thinks he knows everything. Sorry just curious for the misunderstanding
Ok, it just all ran together and wasn't sure of the meaning, sorry.
But yeah, that red doberman was the only dog I ever owned that did anything like that to me. Now, if I do get a dog, it's either small, or a puppy that I can raise so that we can learn each others habits and behavior from when it is a puppy. I did adopt a rescued poodle. She's 4 years old, but apparently, from what the people at the Vanderburgh Humane Society told us, was abused by her previous owner.
All of our dogs are females, and spayed. And we love them all. :)
By the way just curious my dogs are not confused like some people on this blog. Possibility that is you. Thanks
Na....only the way you wrote it confused me....but I thought you already apologized, now you are taking jabs at me? Wow, talk about false intentions....you sure your dogs aren't confused yet? They've lived with you much longer than I've talked to you....and now I'm not sure if you were really sincere in your apology or just put it out there so you would look civil to the other posters on here....
Non-human animals may be friendlier, more obedient, and more loyal than most humans but they are also unpredictable and can become violent. And they do far too often. That is why people are not allowed to walk lions and tigers and bears down the street. Similarly pit bulls, 144 lb mastiffs, etc. should not be in a residential setting.
No I reread your comment-my mouth is not a trap, Watch your comments and how you speak to others. Frankly it was obvious who I was talking to. And I have opinions like everyone else and don;t need smart ass comments
If you don't need smart ass comments, THEN DON'T MAKE THEM. Idiot! LOL!
You also have an a$$hole like everyone else, but not everyone wants to listen to it when it blows hot air either!
Lions and tigers are wild animals and of course are not allowed to walk freely down the street. Are you comparing dogs to lions and tigers. Mastiffs and pitbulls should be allowed in residential communities if the owners are responsible and the dogs are not dangerous-that goes for all breeds
just curious-go soak your head-you'll feel better-ass
gotta have that last word, don't ya....enjoy it! I'm done sitting next to you...you're stinking up the room, cya!
just curious-take a drink-really-you're sitting next to me=brain drain-like I said take a drink=and get a good nights sleep-you'll feel better in the morning-signing off from the trap-ass