In Pennsylvania, a mother tragically met a violent end when she was fatally attacked by her eight pet wolf-dog hybrids. Sandra L Piovesan’s lifeless body was discovered by her daughter at their residence in Salem Township. The 50-year-old lost her life to the wolf-dog hybrids, a mix created by breeding domestic dogs with various wolf species, known for their unpredictable and potentially dangerous nature.
Her daughter found Sandra’s body on April 30, 2012, within the secure pen she had built for the animals. An autopsy revealed that Sandra died from blood loss caused by the attack from her own pets. The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office reported that the wolves abruptly stopped their assault on Sandra.
Dr. Cyril H. Wecht noted that the most severe injuries were to her scalp and legs, suggesting the attack may have ceased minutes after it began. Elaine Gower, a Westmoreland County Humane Agent, emphasized the risks of keeping wolf-dog hybrids as pets, warning Sandra about the potential danger they posed.
Post-mortem examinations dispelled speculations that Sandra might have collapsed in the enclosure with her dogs, indicating that the attack occurred after she had already passed away or had been motionless for a period. Wildlife experts supported Gower’s assertion that wolf-dog hybrids pose a greater threat to humans than pure wolves due to their increased tendency for aggressive behavior.
Gower disclosed that a friend of Sandra had been attacked by one of the hybrids two years prior, although no formal report was filed. Concerns were raised about the safety of the community if the wolves were to escape their pen.
Sandra had officially registered the animals as crossbreed dogs but inconsistently identified them as wolves when selling the offspring. All eight dogs were euthanized to retrieve Sandra’s remains, as it was impossible to determine which one had attacked her. The two adult Rottweilers owned by Sandra, housed separately indoors, were seized and will be rehomed in an animal sanctuary, clarifying that they were not part of the wolf-dog hybrid breeding.