Arkansas teen mauled to death while trying to feed neglected, starving dogs

The Saline County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that the office received a 911 call at around 12:15 pm on Wednesday reporting that a female had been attacked by dogs. Authorities who arrived at the scene determined that the teen had been "fatally attacked by multiple dogs located within a secured, fenced area on private property."

The sheriff’s office said that around 30 dogs were being housed at the property. "The victim had been previously assisting the rescue with the care of the animals and was helping to find them permanent homes. The reason for the sudden and tragic attack is currently unknown."

The dogs associated with the attack were seized by the office with the assistance of Benton animal control. Per KATV, 14 dogs have been euthanized. Four dogs that had been locked inside the home were left at the property.

The victim was identified in a GoFundMe set up to assist the family. Organizer Erin Bowman, who said she is a friend of Fortner’s mother, Stephanie Wilkie, described the teen as a "a beautiful, bright girl with the kindest soul who had so much life ahead of her. Her smile could light up a room, and her laughter was the kind that made others feel instantly at ease. She is deeply loved by her family, friends, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. No parent is ever prepared to lose a child, and certainly not under such tragic circumstances."

As of Friday afternoon, the fundraiser has raised over $34,000 of its $45,000 goal.

Ralph Murphy, a neighbor near the residence where the attack took place, told the outlet, "I watched a Saline County deputy come out and go up to the fence, and a bunch of dogs ran up to the fence. He pulled out his pistol and shot into the ground twice, and the dogs ran. And then he walked over and looked down and turned around and walked back. Then I moved and saw a body on the ground."

Neighbors have complained to the county multiple times about the number of dogs on the property. They told the outlet that the dogs were not controlled by their owners and frequently got loose.

Heidi Clay, whose family owns a property nearby, said the neighbors "were very upset" when the homeowners moved in the with large number of dogs. She described the dogs as "very vicious at the fence to the point that no one wanted to let their children walk to and from the bus stop."

"This was a beautiful young girl who lost her life because these people did not properly take care of their dogs and have a hoarding issue."