Elderly Woman Attacked, Killed By Dog In Suffield

SUFFIELD, CT — An elderly woman was attacked and killed by a dog in Suffield Thursday afternoon, according to reports. The attack occurred at the house of former state representative and animal rights activist Annie Hornish, The Hartford Courant reported.

Police were called to 584 Thrall Ave. shortly before 3 p.m. for a report of a person being bitten by a dog.

Officers arrived on the scene to find Janet D'Aleo, 95, of Enfield, had been seriously injured in the incident. She later succumbed to her injuries at Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts, WFSB reported.

The dog that bit her, a pit bull pointer mix, was quarantined. D'Aleo was visiting Hornish's mother at the home when the dog bit her on the lower extremities, according to the Courant.

Investigators are attempting to determine what caused the 4-year-old dog to bite D'Aleo and are looking into the animal's background. The Hornish family has had the dog for the last several months, during which time no complaints have been registered about it.

Hornish told the Courant that the dog was reacting to being repeatedly hit with a metal stool when the dog was jumping to greet D'Aleo. She added that the dog has no history of aggression.

Hornish called the incident "a horrible tragedy" and said that they lost "a very good friend of the family.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing.