Portland boy, six, is mauled to death by two Great Dane-Mastiff mixes in family friend’s home while getting ready for school
A six-year-old child was mauled to death by two Great Dane-Mastiff mixes after his grandmother dropped him off at a Portland home.
Just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a possible animal attack in the Parkrose Heights neighborhood.
When they arrived at the scene, they were greeted by a woman covered in blood. She told officers she had gone into the garage to take care of her two dogs and the little boy had opened the door behind her.
One of the dogs, believed to be a mix of Great Danes and Mastiffs, attacked the boy and the other followed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The six-year-old Glenfair Elementary student was dropped off by his grandmother so her boyfriend could take him to school.
A six-year-old boy was mauled to death by two Great Dane-Mastiff mixes in a Portland home after his grandmother dropped him off
The boy was left in the care of Koko Miller, owner of a company called 'K-9 Protection'. According to police, she regularly took the little boy to school
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. He had previously been warned to stay away from the dogs
The woman living in the house, Koko Miller, is the self-proclaimed owner and operator of a company called 'K-9 Protection'.
Photos on Facebook show two large black dogs, although it is unclear whether they were involved in the attack.
“We understand the homeowner-slash-dog-owner did everything he could to stop this attack, even reaching for a gun at one point — it never got to that point,” said Mike Benner, public information officer for the police department of Portland, during a press conference.
“She did everything she could to save this boy's life.”
He described the dogs as 'very large and heavy', adding that the owner called them 'mutts', and said they were thought to be a mix of Great Danes and Mastiffs.
“The boy knew not to go around the dogs, and that's why they were in the garage,” Benner said.
However, he said there have never been any police calls regarding the animals, which are now in the care of Multnomah County Animal Services.
“I speak for everyone at the station when I say our hearts are breaking for this little boy, for his family, for his friends,” Benner said.
“I mean, every time this happens it's a shock to the conscience, but for this to happen just weeks before Christmas is just unbelievable.”
Miller posted photos of two large, black dogs on Facebook, although it is unclear whether they were involved in the attack. According to the public information officer for the Portland Police Bureau, there had never been a call to police about the animals
Miller's LinkedIn says she has led “K-9 Protection” since 2003. It is unclear what the company does
The two dogs are now in the care of Multnomah County Animal Services. It is unclear whether they will be euthanized
A neighbor who knew the family said he was surprised by the attack because they were “very nice dogs” and he had played with them before
The Portland Police Child Abuse Team is leading the investigation with assistance from the Homicide Unit.
Benner said it was “way too early” to determine whether Miller would face criminal charges.
Neighbor Sergey Dengub, who knew the family and the dogs, was shocked when he heard of the mauling.
“They're really nice dogs,” he said. 'I often played with these dogs when I visited the family. What happened today really surprises me.”
Miller's house is hidden behind a large brown fence. Police had cordoned off the area and could be seen walking back and forth from the home as animal control officers stood nearby.
Emily Calcagno, a kindergarten teacher at Glenfair Elementary, said she knew the child personally. “It was a tough day,” she wrote on Facebook.
Another woman close to the family, Taylor Paige, wrote, “When I tell you all, I am HEARTBROKEN. This little boy was the nicest little boy. I pray for his sisters and grandmother.”
Multnomah County Animal Services was not immediately available for comment on whether the dogs would be put down.
The shelter changed its policy this year and will only consider euthanasia for a dangerous dog after it has been voluntarily surrendered or ownership has been suspended.