A Northern California woman was killed this week in what appeared to be a dog attack, and authorities are investigating whether any of the 25 Great Danes found roaming the area may be behind the fatal hijacking.
Just before 2 a.m. Thursday, a resident came across a body on Blackhawk Trail in Feather Falls, not far from Lake Oroville. He called police and deputies responded to the scene, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman was later identified as Davina Corbin, 56, who lived in the area. An autopsy found numerous bite marks and other injuries indicative of a domestic dog attack, authorities said, and evidence suggests she was out for a walk when she was mauled.
Sheriff’s detectives opened an investigation, but didn’t have to go far. Corbin’s body had been discovered directly in front of a home, and after serving a search warrant, detectives found themselves in a startling situation involving 25 Great Danes.
“Deputies and detectives spent the entire day capturing the dogs, which were running loose in the area,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Friday. – So far, around 23 dogs have been caught and handed over to animal control. Detectives are currently trying to capture the two outstanding dogs.”
A laboratory analysis confirmed that Corbin’s clothing was covered in DNA consistent with at least one domestic dog, and authorities are in the process of conducting additional tests to determine which dog(s) may be responsible for the attack.
Great Danes are usually known to be gentle and friendly, despite their impressive size. When fully grown, the dogs are taller than most people when standing on their hind legs and can weigh anywhere from 110 to 175 pounds – making them one of the largest recognized dog breeds.
According to American Kennel ClubGreat Danes were once developed by German noblemen to hunt ferocious boars, and they later became beloved protectors of their home and loved ones.