A Northern California woman was killed this week in what appears to be a dog attack, and authorities are investigating whether one of 25 Great Danes found roaming the area may have been behind the deadly attack.
Shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday, a resident discovered a body on Blackhawk Trail in Feather Falls, near Lake Oroville. He called police, and officers 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 neighborhood. An autopsy revealed numerous bite marks and other injuries that suggested a domestic dog attack, authorities said, and evidence indicates she was walking when she was mauled.
Sheriff’s detectives launched an investigation, but didn’t have to look far. Corbin’s body had been discovered right outside a house, and after executing a search warrant, detectives found themselves in a surprising situation involving 25 Great Danes.
“Officers and detectives spent the entire day capturing the dogs that were running loose in the area,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Friday. “To date, approximately 23 dogs have been captured and turned over to animal control. Detectives are currently attempting to capture the remaining two dogs.”
A lab analysis confirmed that Corbin’s clothing was covered in DNA consistent with at least one domestic dog, and authorities are conducting additional testing to determine which dog, or dogs, may have been responsible for the attack.
Great Danes are generally known for being gentle and friendly, despite their large 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 the American Kennel Club, Great Danes were once developed by German nobles to hunt ferocious wild boars, and they later became beloved protectors of their homes and loved ones.
