VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood told FOX 35 in an exclusive interview Wednesday morning that he plans to hold the owner of the dogs who brutally killed a local boy responsible.
Eight-year-old Michael Millett was tragically killed by two loose dogs in his neighborhood while riding his bike on Monday.
Despite Michaels' mother's desperate efforts to intervene, the dogs fatally attacked Michael, and neighbors reported prior aggressive behavior from the same dogs, which are now quarantined.
The community, which is grieving alongside Michael's family, has launched a GoFundMe to assist with funeral costs and support during this difficult time, while authorities consider charges against the dogs' owner.
Michael Millett was only 8 years old. (Credit: Jackie Hart)
‘Michael did not deserve to die’
Chitwood has been very vocal about the attack since it took place.
He told FOX 35 he is determined to hold the dogs' owner accountable.
“This was absolutely senseless,” Chitwood said. “Michael did not deserve to die. Michael, his injuries; I just can't even describe them. I've never seen anything like that.”
Who is the owner of the dogs?
Authorities said the owner of the dogs is a 31-year-old woman. FOX 35 News is choosing not to identify the woman, as she has not been charged.
She has an extensive criminal history, primarily related to drugs, according to the sheriff.
Investigators told FOX 35 the owner is not cooperating in the ongoing investigation.
“The owner, the way she treated animal control and my investigators, basically saying ‘I'm not going to cooperate with you, I'm getting an attorney and do what you got to do,'” Chitwood said. “Well, that's what we're going to do now.”
Michael Millett was only 8 years old. (Credit: Jackie Hart)
The backstory:
Animal control said the dogs have gotten loose before, but there have been no official reports filed.
Some neighbors have said they have had prior run-ins with dogs. They told FOX 35 the dogs are loud, have frequently been found running loose and have killed one of the neighbors' chickens.
Officials also discovered the dogs may have been involved in a previous incident in another county.
Full press conference: Florida boy, 8, killed in dog attack
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood provided new details about the dog attack that left an 8-year-old boy dead during a briefing on Tuesday. According to Sheriff Chitwood, the boy, identified as Michael, was riding bikes with his friends in the neighborhood when they stopped at the front entrance of the subdivision to pet the dogs. It was at that moment that Michael was brutally mauled, officials said.
‘She needs to be held accountable’
What's next:
Chitwood said the dogs are in quarantine, and the owner has 10 days to respond to animal control.
If she does respond, he said there will be a court hearing over the fate of the dogs. If she doesn't, the dogs will be turned over to animal control, where they will be destroyed.
Chitwood said the department is working closely with the state attorney's office, because he wants to do “everything legally possible to hold her accountable and charge her in Michael's murder.”
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Asking neighbors to come forward
What you can do:
Chitwood is asking neighbors who have information to continue coming forward.
“Clearly, this woman was negligent,” he said. “Not only was the gate left open, but those dogs had free rein (over) that neighborhood. … That's why it's so important for the residents (to) come forward to tell us what was going on that they never filed police reports. We have to establish a pattern to be able to charge her.”
Chitwood also pleaded with locals to call animal control professionals if a stray animal is witnessed.
He is asking people to keep Michael's family in their prayers.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
