A Florida family is mourning the tragic death of 8-year-old Michael Millett, who was attacked and killed by two pit bulls he stopped to pet while riding bikes with a friend.
According to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Michael and his friend were riding bikes near Arabesque Drive and Airport Road in DeLand just before 5 p.m. on Monday when they saw two dogs in the street... Continue reading here ▶
Michael got off his bike to pet the dogs. At first, the dogs seemed friendly, but then they suddenly attacked him.
Deputies released the disturbing 911 call made by a woman who witnessed the attack.
“There’s a little boy being attacked by two dogs,” the caller said.
The dispatcher asked if the boy knew the dogs, and the caller replied no.
“They’re literally tugging on him,” the caller said. “Please hurry. He’s not moving … He was screaming for help, and they’ve pinned him down on the ground and they’re biting him. But he’s not moving and he’s not responding.”
In the background of the call, Michael’s mother could be heard screaming his name.
Sheriff Chitwood said listening to the 911 call and hearing Michael’s mother scream for help deeply affected him. “It strikes to the core of who we are as human beings,” he said.
Chitwood described the attack as “horrific.” He said Michael was “maliciously mauled, brutally mauled and killed,” and that the boy “never had a chance.” The investigation is now focused on the dog’s owner, and Chitwood believes the owner should face criminal charges.
“We are going to do everything humanly possible to hold the owner of these dogs responsible,” he said, adding that the dogs should be euthanized.
Angela Miedema, director of Volusia County Animal Services, said the agency has taken custody of the dogs. The owner must sign a consent form for the dogs to be euthanized, or the agency will have to take the owner to court for custody of the dogs.
Chitwood mentioned that neighbors had shared “horrific” stories about the dogs being loose and killing chickens, but no one had previously reported the dogs to police or animal services.
Michael’s family has set up a GoFundMe, which has raised nearly $50,000 as of Wednesday morning. The fundraiser says, “Our family is devastated with the loss of Michael.
He was incredibly smart, funny, caring, loving, and so adventurous. Michael’s contagious laugh and light will be missed tremendously.”
