The family of an 8-year-old boy who was mauled to death by two dogs near DeLand last month has retained the law firm of Morgan & Morgan, which is seeking information about the dog’s owner and about the security at the community where the boy lived, a release stated.
The release also states that initial reports that the boys were petting the dogs were inaccurate.
Instead, Michael Millett III and one of his friends were sitting by their bicycles in their gated community waiting for another boy to join them on a bike ride on January 13 when the two dogs approached and “began to viciously attack Michael without provocation,” the release stated.
Michael’s friend ran for help, the release stated, but Michael was mauled by the dogs and later died in a hospital from bite wounds.
Initial reports stated the dogs attacked the boy at the entrance to the Berry’s Ridge subdivision where he lived at Arabesque Drive and Airport Road.
Michael’s friend said that the boys had no interaction with the dogs prior to the attack, which is contrary to initial reports from the Sheriff’s Office which stated the boys approached and petted the initially allegedly friendly dogs, the release stated.
The mixed-breed dogs did not belong to the gated community where the boys lived, the release stated.
The dogs were euthanized on January 30.
The mixed-breed dogs belonged to Amanda Franco, 31, who has not been charged in the case. .
Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood has vowed to hold Franco responsible and told reporters he hopes she is at least charged with negligent homicide.
Morgan & Morgan looking at allegations community gates were open
The release contained a statement from Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Alberto Oliveri:
“No words can express the devastating grief these parents are experiencing. The loss of a child in such a senseless and preventable tragedy demands accountability, and we will fight tirelessly to hold all responsible parties accountable. We have already set in motion an investigation to address the many questions we have about this incident, including: Why were the gates at the entrance of this supposedly gated community allegedly not closed? Why did the homeowners association and property management allegedly fail to repair a fence in the community that allegedly had had holes in it for more than a year?”
The statement also requested that anyone with information about the dogs, their owners or “potential security failures” to contact Morgan & Morgan and the police.
The statement continued: “We believe this horrifying and tragic incident should never have happened and are exploring all avenues of justice for Michael’s death.”
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