Hundreds of people are showing their support for the family of a Volusia County boy who was mauled to death by two dogs in January. Mandy Shrader and her husband, who run Sledz East Cycles in DeLand, organized a charity ride in 8-year-old Michael Millett's honor. Over 200 motorcyclists came out for the ride and went through five different stops along the way. This tragedy is having a deep impact not just on Michael’s family, but on people who never even knew them. “They’ve got great family support. Nothing is going to change to bring back their son, but they’ve got a lot of people behind them,” said Shrader.The Volusia County community is supporting Michael’s family in many ways including a raffle and a silent auction. Businesses in Volusia County donated items, including the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. All proceeds are going to Michael's family. “It’s just amazing. I can’t thank them all enough. Everybody feels the same way, to support this family,” said Shrader. This comes as Michael’s parents traveled to Tallahassee last week with Sheriff Mike Chitwood. They shared their story and their support for a bill that would create stricter penalties for owners of dangerous dogs.The bill, called the Pam Rock Act, unanimously received a favorable report from the committee. It now has three more stops before heading to the House floor.It's a bill that many in Volusia County say they stand behind. “This is a tragic loss that shouldn’t have happened. The little boy just wanted to pet a dog, that’s all he wanted to do. We have to contain these dogs and not just let them run wild and loose,” said Robert Chandler, who joined the ride on his motorcycle. Volusia County says it want justice for Michael and will continue fighting for his family. “He had dreams of being a firefighter, a policeman, and he had dreams of being something,” said Chandler.As for the dogs’ owners — they are under investigation for manslaughter by culpable negligence and for owning a dangerous dog. They have not been charged at this time.
Hundreds of people are showing their support for the family of a Volusia County boy who was mauled to death by two dogs in January.
Mandy Shrader and her husband, who run Sledz East Cycles in DeLand, organized a charity ride in 8-year-old Michael Millett's honor.
Over 200 motorcyclists came out for the ride and went through five different stops along the way.
This tragedy is having a deep impact not just on Michael’s family, but on people who never even knew them.
“They’ve got great family support. Nothing is going to change to bring back their son, but they’ve got a lot of people behind them,” said Shrader.
The Volusia County community is supporting Michael’s family in many ways including a raffle and a silent auction.
Businesses in Volusia County donated items, including the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
All proceeds are going to Michael's family.
“It’s just amazing. I can’t thank them all enough. Everybody feels the same way, to support this family,” said Shrader.
This comes as Michael’s parents traveled to Tallahassee last week with Sheriff Mike Chitwood. They shared their story and their support for a bill that would create stricter penalties for owners of dangerous dogs.
The bill, called the Pam Rock Act, unanimously received a favorable report from the committee. It now has three more stops before heading to the House floor.
It's a bill that many in Volusia County say they stand behind.
“This is a tragic loss that shouldn’t have happened. The little boy just wanted to pet a dog, that’s all he wanted to do. We have to contain these dogs and not just let them run wild and loose,” said Robert Chandler, who joined the ride on his motorcycle.
Volusia County says it want justice for Michael and will continue fighting for his family.
“He had dreams of being a firefighter, a policeman, and he had dreams of being something,” said Chandler.
As for the dogs’ owners — they are under investigation for manslaughter by culpable negligence and for owning a dangerous dog. They have not been charged at this time.
