The parents of Michael Millett III, the Volusia County boy who was mauled by two dogs and later died on Jan. 13, filed a lawsuit Wednesday.The wrongful death lawsuit is against the homeowners association and the property management company where the incident happened.The suit claims the HOA was negligent in its failure to maintain the front gate in a proper working condition despite knowledge that it was broken and inoperable for an extended period of time. The suit also says the management company knew the inoperable condition of the front gate and the presence of dangerous dogs entering the community. According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, two dogs attacked the 8-year-old boy just before 5 p.m. in an area off County Road 15A, north of DeLand.The VCSO said witnesses called 911 and attempted CPR on the boy, but he died from his injuries.The owners of the two dogs that mauled the 8-year-old to death in January in Volusia County are facing felony charges.In a news conference, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood called the boy’s injuries horrific and said dogs had been “terrorizing” the neighborhood for weeks. He said the boy was riding his bike with a friend when he stopped to pet one of the dogs. That is when the attack happened. Chitwood said he sustained 12 bites and had some broken bones. He believes it was not long before he died.Chitwood said the boy’s mom dove on top of the boy.”Here we have a mother who’s fighting evil and trying to revive her son,” said Chitwood.The dogs were on the loose before being chased by deputies and caught by Volusia County Animal Services. The dogs are being held in quarantine. One dog is described as a pit bull and the other as a mixed breed.”Unfortunately, the owner has not signed over permission for humane euthanasia at this point, but that may be coming in the near future,” said Angela Miedema, the Volusia County Animal Services director. WESH 2 News has reached out to the management company. The lawsuit is seeking at least $50,000 in damages.
The parents of Michael Millett III, the Volusia County boy who was mauled by two dogs and later died on Jan. 13, filed a lawsuit Wednesday.
The wrongful death lawsuit is against the homeowners association and the property management company where the incident happened.
The suit claims the HOA was negligent in its failure to maintain the front gate in a proper working condition despite knowledge that it was broken and inoperable for an extended period of time.
The suit also says the management company knew the inoperable condition of the front gate and the presence of dangerous dogs entering the community.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, two dogs attacked the 8-year-old boy just before 5 p.m. in an area off County Road 15A, north of DeLand.
The VCSO said witnesses called 911 and attempted CPR on the boy, but he died from his injuries.
The owners of the two dogs that mauled the 8-year-old to death in January in Volusia County are facing felony charges.
In a news conference, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood called the boy’s injuries horrific and said dogs had been “terrorizing” the neighborhood for weeks.
He said the boy was riding his bike with a friend when he stopped to pet one of the dogs. That is when the attack happened. Chitwood said he sustained 12 bites and had some broken bones. He believes it was not long before he died.
Chitwood said the boy’s mom dove on top of the boy.
“Here we have a mother who’s fighting evil and trying to revive her son,” said Chitwood.
The dogs were on the loose before being chased by deputies and caught by Volusia County Animal Services. The dogs are being held in quarantine. One dog is described as a pit bull and the other as a mixed breed.
“Unfortunately, the owner has not signed over permission for humane euthanasia at this point, but that may be coming in the near future,” said Angela Miedema, the Volusia County Animal Services director.
WESH 2 News has reached out to the management company. The lawsuit is seeking at least $50,000 in damages.
