A Colorado woman has been arrested after her elderly mother with dementia was mauled to death by dogs in their home. Jessica Hoff, 47, faces charges of criminal negligence and aggravated animal cruelty following the gruesome February 3 incident in Colorado City.
Deputies responding to a call about an unconscious woman found 76-year-old LaVonne Hoff dead inside the residence, with multiple dogs roaming freely. Investigators determined she had been attacked by the animals while left alone. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office stated that LaVonne, who required full-time care due to dementia, was unsupervised when the fatal mauling occurred.
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Authorities later discovered Hoff owned a total of 54 dogs and seven birds across two properties, many living in filthy conditions. “Several of the dogs were in poor health,” the sheriff’s office noted. Animal Law Enforcement seized all animals, and Hoff was arrested on March 21, told KOAA News 5.
She is charged with criminal negligence resulting in the death of an at-risk adult and 54 counts of aggravated animal cruelty. Hoff remains in Pueblo County Jail on a $50,000 bond, with her first court appearance set for March 27.
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This tragic case follows another recent fatal dog attack in Ohio, where a three-year-old girl, Kingsley Wright, was killed by her father’s dogs. Warren Houston, 45, faces involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment charges. Cincinnati Animal CARE removed three dogs from his home after the December 27 attack.
The incidents highlight the dangers of irresponsible pet ownership, particularly involving vulnerable individuals. Authorities continue to investigate both cases as legal proceedings unfold.
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