The Smith County Sheriff's Office is conducting a full investigation following the tragic death of 23-year-old Madison Riley Hull, a student at the University of Texas at Tyler. Hull was killed in a dog attack while caring for three pit bulls at a residence in Tyler on November 21.
Hull's body was discovered in the backyard of the home around 4:15 p.m. When a Smith County Sheriff's deputy arrived on the scene, he was charged by the dogs and fatally shot one of them to reach the victim. The other two dogs were subsequently taken into custody by Animal Control.
Concerns Over Dog Behavior
Madison Hull, who was set to graduate with a degree in early childhood education, had reportedly been caring for the dogs for several weeks. Her mother, Jennifer Hubbell, shared that while the dogs had previously seemed affectionate toward her daughter, Madison had recently noted a "change in behaviour."
Legal Review Underway
The two surviving pit bulls are currently being held, and a court hearing regarding their fate is scheduled for Wednesday. Authorities are working closely with the Smith County District Attorney's Office to determine the full circumstances of the attack and decide whether any charges should be filed against the dogs' owners. The investigation aims to establish if there were any prior issues with the animals or negligence involved.
The incident has deeply shocked the University of Texas at Tyler community and drawn attention to the risks associated with pet-sitting large breeds.
