On January 30, 2024, 85-year-old Willie Mundine was fatally attacked by two aggressive dogs in the backyard of his home near the intersection of Kenyon St. and Nimitz Dr. in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mundine heroically intervened to protect his wife from the aggressive “pitbull-like” dogs, a move which ultimately led to his tragic death.
Mundine’s granddaughter, Holly Watkins, recounted the terrifying ordeal, stating that the dogs at first targeted her grandmother.
He confronted the animals to protect her, only to be attacked himself. The dogs involved in the attack were described as one brown and one black and white.
Mundine sustained several bite wounds on his arms and legs and was found in critical condition. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) confirmed his passing on the same day.
This incident has brought to light other issues in the neighborhood with stray and aggressive dogs.
Mark Lowe, a neighbor, reported a prior attack by the same dogs and had notified Indianapolis Animal Care Services (IACS) about the danger they posed. Lowe’s frustration was evident as he recalled warning the authorities about the potential lethality of these dogs.
In response to Mundine’s attack, an IMPD officer shot one of the dogs to stop the aggression. This dog, now in IACS custody, is receiving medical attention.
Meanwhile, efforts to locate and capture the second dog, described as black and white, are ongoing. IMPD has sought community assistance in identifying the owners of these dogs and has released a photo of the brown dog involved.
Statistics from IACS show a worrying trend in the community, with animal bite incidents rising from 720 in 2020 to over 1,135 in 2023.
The Mundine family has expressed their distress and fear, highlighting the regular terror caused by aggressive dogs in their neighborhood.
IACS has recognized the prevalence of dog attacks in the area, including incidents near school bus stops, which point to a broader issue of public safety. Following the attack, the agency has been searching for the second dog involved.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant around stray or aggressive dogs and to contact emergency services if threatened. The IMPD emphasizes the need to find out if the dogs are strays or, if not, to identify the dogs’ owners to prevent similar incidents in the future.
