'Really Buddies' Husband Says Of Dog That Killed Woman In DC

WASHINGTON, DC — The distraught husband of a Southeast DC woman who was fatally mauled Sunday night in their home by her pit bull mix dog says the attack happened in less than 15 minutes while he was out of the house. Robert Frazier said his wife, Angela Smith, 55, and their dog, Kaine, were "really buddies," and often walked in the neighborhood.

"I just left out the house. It was 15 minutes, and I come back, she was dead," he said.

Frazier adopted the pit bull eight years ago, and he told NBC Washington it was mostly well-trained. After the mauling Frazier wondered if his wife took food away from the dog and Kaine snapped.

"What I'm thinking is, she might have taken some food, something like that, from him. And he's really aggressive like that. Maybe, just maybe, I think he reacted that way," Frazier told NBC.

Metro Police were called to the couple's home on Dexter Terrace about 6:30 p.m. for a report that a woman was injured. Smith died at an area hospital, WTOP reports. Officials with the Humane Rescue Alliance were shown on video taking the dog away from the house and putting it in a vehicle; it was later euthanized.

Neighbors told reporters they never saw the dog act aggressively, although it did growl and snap at officers as they tried to put it in a van.

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Being informed on how to approach a dog and how to respond to dangerous situation could just save your life if things take a negative turn.

How to Prevent a Dog Bite
Dog bites can often be prevented by engaging with the animal appropriately. By following these tips, you can help yourself and your loved ones mitigate the possibility of a dog bite:

• Any time you encounter a new dog, ask the pet's owner before reaching out to pet it
• Never let small children play with a dog without supervision
• Stay still when first encountering a dog; let it see and smell you first
• If a dog is acting strange, notify the owner as this could be a warning sign of impending dangerous behavior
• Do not run, panic, or make loud noises around a dog as it may incite aggressive behavior
• If you find yourself in a situation where an attack is imminent, the best thing to do is to curl into a ball with your head tucked and your hands over your ears and neck
• If you encounter a stray dog, notify your local pound or animal control
• Do not disturb a dog that is caring for its puppies, eating, or sleeping; it is vulnerable and may view your interaction as a threat
• Understand a dog's behavior: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has a great list to help understand dogs' body language

What To Do if You've Been Bitten by a Dog

Do What You Can to Protect Yourself
If a dog is continuing to attack, do what you can to protect yourself: whether curling into a ball, covering your ears and neck, or wedging a purse, bag or jacket in between you and the dog, protect yourself until you are able to escape to a safe place.

Tend to Your Wounds
Dog bites are painful, but are also subject to serious infection: approximately 1 in 5 dog bites will become infected. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes there are over 60 different kinds of bacteria in dog's mouths, with approximately five being potentially harmful for humans, including rabies, tetanus, pasteurella, ethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and capnocytophaga.
Once you are in a secure location, evaluate the severity of your wounds.

If you have minor wounds, tend to them by washing thoroughly with soap and water, applying antibiotic cream, and covering with a sterile bandage.

If you have major or deep wounds, apply pressure to stop the bleeding and see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. If you unable to transport yourself, call 911 for immediate medical assistance.

Report the Incident

After seeking medical attention or tending to the wounds yourself, report the incident. Anyone who has been bitten by a dog is subject to contracting the rabies virus, so it vital to report to the local animal control or police department.

If possible, contact the owner to verify if the animal has received a rabies vaccination.

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