‘Pit bull-type dog’ mauled Indiana sheriff’s deputy to death, child injured

The deputy, identified as 46-year-old Tamieka White of Indianapolis was found injured inside a garage when police responded to reports of an aggressive dog, according to Fox 59. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officers attempted to enter the residence, but were blocked by an aggressive dog.

They had to "destroy" the dog before they could get to White. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

White's 8-year-old son, who was also at home, was bitten by the same dog and was taken to a local hospital, where he is listed in “good” condition.

White had been a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff's Department since 2007 and worked in the Judicial Enforcement Division.

The dogs involved in the attack were all found inside the home and belonged to a friend of White who she was dogsitting for.

The IACS will hold the dogs as part of their investigation.

Earlier on Saturday, an animal control officer from IACS had been sent to the home on reports of loose and aggressive dogs.

The officer found two dogs in front of a broken fence and was later contacted by a friend of the dog's owner who corralled the dogs.

IACS said that they cannot confirm the breed of the dogs without a DNA test but that they will not be conducting one. Fox 59 reports that “IACS said three live dogs, one dead dog, and one cat were impounded from the east side home following the deadly attack. IACS said all of the dogs, including the deceased dog, appeared to be “pit bull-type dogs.”

IMPD Major Mike Leepper said that the dogs involved in the attack were "meant to be" at the home and did not come from outside.

The neighborhood in which the attack took place is known to be very tight-knit, and White was well-known in her community.

A neighbor reported that White's son had come running out the front door asking for help, which led to the initial 911 call.