Vet at clinic where woman was mauled to death gives details of what happened
.jpg "The veterinarian at an Irving animal hospital where a woman was mauled to death by her pit bulls said the attack was “traumatic, chaotic, and emotional” for everyone at the clinic.")
The veterinarian at an Irving animal hospital where a woman was mauled to death by her pit bulls said the attack was “traumatic, chaotic, and emotional” for everyone at the clinic.
Johana Villafane, 33, died at Parkland Emergency Hospital after being attacked by her two pit bulls at O’Connor Animal Hospital on Saturday.
The woman was visiting her dogs at the clinic where they had been quarantined after biting someone, according to Irving police.
A vet at the clinic, James Kang, said in a statement that staff was unable to walk the dogs because of their aggressive behavior, according to Star-Telegram media partner WFAA.
The woman and her family came to the clinic twice a day for a week walking the dogs, Kang said in the statement.
However, on Saturday, Villafane took the dogs in the back yard of the clinic.
“We were very busy taking care of clients and patients all morning that we were unable to hear any noise or screaming that occurred in the back yard,” Kang said in the statement.
A receptionist saw Villfane lying in the back yard at about 11:15 a.m. and called 911. Kang said they could not get to Villafane to help her because the dogs were guarding her.
Police arrived and shot both of the dogs, according to Irving police.
“The whole situation was traumatic, chaotic, and emotional for everyone in our hospital staff, including myself. We are trying to overcome this tragic incident and move forward,” Kang said in the statement.
This story was originally published March 27, 2019 at 10:07 PM.