A woman suffering from seizure mauled to death by the family dog
By Josh Faiola
Email: news@abc6.com
Twitter: @ABC6
SOMERSET, MASS (WLNE) – A Somerset woman suffering from a seizure was mauled to death by the family dog in her home on Friday night, said the Bristol County District Attorney’s office.
The D.A’s office says at around 5:20, they received a call from the home of 44-year-old Melissa Astacio, who was having a seizure when the family dog, who is believed to be an 8-year-old Pit Bull attacked her.
When emergency personnel arrived on the scene, Police were forced to deploy a taser on the dog before assisting Astacio, who was then rushed to Rhode Island Hospital.
Astacio, who is known by friends and family to suffer from seizures, was pronounced deceased by doctors at 6:20 p.m.
According to the D.A’s office, the dog was secured at the scene by Swansea Animal Rescue and has been placed in quarantine at their facility in Swansea.
Authorities say no criminal conduct of foul play is suspected at this time, and any inquiries regarding the process by which the dog will now go through must be made through the Town of Somerset.
The investigation is ongoing at this time.
©WLNLE-TV/ABC6 2019
