The quiet afternoon in the Berry Ridge neighborhood of DeLand, Florida, was shattered by a horrific tragedy when eight-year-old Michael Millett, while enjoying a bike ride with a friend, was fatally mauled by two dogs. The seemingly innocuous encounter, which began with Millett stopping to pet the animals, quickly escalated into a brutal attack. Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood described the incident as a sudden shift from a friendly interaction to a vicious and violent assault. The two dogs, identified as a Pit Bull Terrier and possibly a Catahoula or another herding breed, inflicted twelve severe bite wounds on the young boy. The sheer brutality and swiftness of the attack left Millett with no chance of survival, and he tragically died at the scene.
The aftermath of the attack was filled with grief, anger, and a determination to hold those responsible accountable. Sheriff Chitwood vowed to pursue every legal avenue to ensure the dogs’ owner faces consequences for the devastating loss of life. The dogs were immediately taken into custody by Volusia County Animal Services, pending euthanasia. DNA samples were collected from each bite wound to definitively link the two captured dogs to the attack, leaving no room for doubt about their culpability. The investigation quickly revealed a troubling pattern of negligence on the part of the dogs’ owner. A known individual to law enforcement, with a history of arrests for drug-related offenses, domestic violence, and assault, she was absent from her property at the time of the attack. The property itself was inadequately fenced, allowing the dogs easy access to the surrounding neighborhood.
Neighbor testimony corroborated the Sheriff’s findings, painting a picture of dogs frequently roaming freely and causing disturbances. Reports emerged of the dogs attacking chickens and possibly being involved in another incident in a different county. Despite these alarming occurrences, no prior 911 calls regarding the dogs or their address had been made to the sheriff’s office or animal services. This absence of official complaints raised questions about community awareness and the responsibility to report dangerous animal behavior. The only 911 call related to the dogs was the one made on the fateful afternoon of the attack, with Millett’s mother’s desperate cries for help audible in the background.
The sheer horror of the scene was amplified by the mother’s valiant, yet ultimately futile, attempts to save her son. She threw herself onto the dogs in a desperate bid to halt the attack and immediately performed CPR, but tragically, Millett succumbed to his injuries. While the dogs targeted Millett, neither his mother nor other children present were attacked, adding another layer of mystery to the already tragic event. A dog bite fatality expert joined the investigation, working with the county medical examiner to reconstruct the attack, determine which dog initiated the assault, and analyze the extent of each dog’s involvement. The expert’s analysis will provide crucial evidence in the ongoing investigation and inform potential legal proceedings.
The tragic death of Michael Millett underscored the critical importance of responsible pet ownership. Volusia County Animal Services Director Angela Miedema emphasized the multifaceted responsibilities that come with owning a dog. Beyond simply providing food and shelter, owners must ensure their animals are properly confined, socialized, and trained to prevent them from posing a threat to the community. The incident served as a stark reminder that neglecting these responsibilities can have devastating consequences. The outpouring of grief and support from the community was evident in a GoFundMe campaign established by Millett’s family. The fundraiser, which quickly surpassed its initial goal, aimed to assist the family with funeral expenses and other unforeseen costs. The description of Millett as an intelligent, funny, caring, loving, and adventurous child, whose infectious laughter and light would be deeply missed, painted a poignant picture of the life tragically cut short.
The ongoing investigation will seek to determine the full extent of the owner’s negligence and the appropriate legal repercussions. Sheriff Chitwood stressed the importance of proving negligence as a minimum requirement for holding the owner accountable. The incident highlights the complex interplay of individual responsibility, community awareness, and the legal framework surrounding dog ownership. As the community mourns the loss of young Michael Millett, the tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from irresponsible pet ownership and the need for proactive measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The pursuit of justice for Millett and his family remains a top priority for law enforcement, with the hope that this heartbreaking case will lead to positive changes in animal control practices and a heightened sense of responsibility among pet owners.
