LaGrange grandmother dies after dog attack, police say
Woman dies after vicious dog attack
A tragic and disturbing story out of Troup County. A woman is dead after a vicious dog attack. It happened on Friday morning at Swanson and Juniper Streets in LaGrange. Police say two large dogs mauled Theresa Patterson as she walked down the street.
LAGRANGE, Ga. - A woman has died following a violent dog attack on Friday morning in LaGrange, according to local authorities.
LaGrange deadly dog attack
What we know:
On July 11 at approximately 11:11 a.m., officers with the LaGrange Police Department responded to the intersection of Swanson Street and Juniper Street after receiving reports of a person being attacked by dogs. When officers arrived, they found a woman, later identified as Theresa Patterson, in the roadway being actively attacked by two large dogs.
Police were able to intervene and stop the attack, providing emergency medical aid until paramedics with AMR arrived. The woman was transported to Wellstar West Georgia Medical Center (WGMC) for treatment, but officials say she later succumbed to her injuries.
The Criminal Investigations Division has taken over the case, and the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Theresa Patterson was killed in a dog attack near the intersection of Swanson Street and Juniper Street on July 11, 2025. (FOX 5 Atlanta obtained permission from the rights holder(s).)
Theresa Patterson dies in dog attack
What they're saying:
"We’re still in shock," said her grandson, Qua Tucker, who works at a funeral home and was in the middle of a service when he received the devastating call.
"It’s one thing when you’re on the other side of the table, but when it comes to your door, it’s different, it’s hard," he said.
Tucker said Patterson was doing something she did nearly every day — taking a walk. "The dogs came out of nowhere and attacked her," he said.
LaGrange police confirmed the dogs were actively mauling Patterson in the road when they arrived. The animals were subdued by officers, but it was too late to save her life.
"We’ve had our tears," Tucker said. "But when you have something suddenly like that, there’s no feeling that can be explained."
Describing his grandmother as "very outspoken" and "witty," Tucker said Patterson was the heart of their family. "She was loving, she would help anybody, even when she needed it herself."
Despite his grief, Tucker said he holds no hatred toward the dog owners. "Am I upset? Of course. That was my grandmother, that was my baby," he said. "I forgive whichever party because hatred is not my thing."
Still, he believes someone should be held accountable. "The appropriate party should be held accountable, they should serve time. It’s someone’s life — my grandmother, my mother’s mother."
Deadly dog attack investigation
What we don't know:
The Troup County Coroner said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation will conduct the autopsy. Police have not announced who, if anyone, will face charges in connection with the attack.
Authorities investigate a deadly dog attack near the intersection of Swanson Street and Juniper Street on July 11, 2025. (FOX 5)
What you can do:
Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact Detective Blane at 706-883-2623. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Tip411 system by texting LAGRANGE to 847411, using the mobile app, or accessing the online portal.
Deadly dog bites in Georgia
Why you should care:
Georgia continues to rank among the top states for dog bite-related fatalities, with hundreds of incidents reported annually and millions of dollars paid out in claims, according to recent data from insurance and public health sources.
Dig deeper:
In 2023 alone, insurance companies processed 495 dog bite claims in Georgia, totaling approximately $28.5 million in payouts, according to data compiled by The Zebra, a consumer research and insurance comparison site. Over the last two decades, the state has consistently ranked in the top 10 nationwide for fatal dog attacks, with 23 deaths recorded between 2005 and 2017, based on a review by the personal injury firm Zinda Law Group.
Nationally, dog bites remain a widespread and sometimes deadly problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 4.5 to 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year in the United States. Of those, roughly 800,000 seek medical attention, and about 370,000 require emergency room treatment.
While most incidents are nonfatal, dog-related deaths have risen sharply in recent years. CDC data shows that 468 people were killed by dogs between 2011 and 2021, with a record high of 81 deaths reported in 2021. In 2022, fatalities climbed even higher, reaching 98, according to figures compiled by the nonprofit DogsBite.org. The number dropped slightly in 2023 to 58.
Children and the elderly remain the most vulnerable, with those under 10 and over 65 accounting for a significant share of both injuries and deaths. Advocacy groups such as the World Animal Foundation report that pit bulls and rottweilers are responsible for the majority of fatal attacks, with pit bull-type dogs accounting for more than 67% of deadly incidents between 2005 and 2019.
Only about 17% of dog bites are officially reported, according to the Embry Law Firm in Georgia, suggesting the actual number of incidents may be much higher.
Georgia does not currently have a statewide breed-specific law, though some local jurisdictions have enacted ordinances targeting certain breeds. Dog owners can face civil or criminal penalties if their animals cause serious injury or death.
As dog ownership continues to grow across the U.S., safety advocates and insurers alike are urging more public awareness, better reporting, and accountability for dog owners.
"The numbers are rising," said one CDC researcher, "and most of these tragedies are preventable with responsible pet ownership and early intervention."