A woman in Northern California was killed this week in what appeared to be a dog attack, and authorities are investigating whether any of the 25 Great Danes found roaming the area may be behind the fatal attack.
Shortly before 2 a.m. Thursday, a resident found a body on Blackhawk Trail in Feather Falls, not far from Lake Oroville. He called police and deputies 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 area. An autopsy found numerous bite marks and other injuries that pointed to an attack by a domestic dog, authorities said, and evidence indicates she was taking a walk when she was attacked.
Sheriff's detectives launched an investigation, but they didn't have to look far. Corbin's body had been discovered right in front of a house, and after serving a search warrant, detectives found themselves in an alarming situation involving 25 Great Danes.
“Deputies and detectives spent the entire day capturing the dogs, which 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 two dogs that are in danger.”
A lab analysis confirmed that Corbin's clothing was covered in DNA that was consistent with at least one domestic dog, and authorities are in the process of conducting additional tests to determine which dog, or dogs, might be guilty of the attack.
Great Danes are generally known for being docile and friendly, despite their imposing size. Once they reach maturity, these dogs are taller than most people when standing on their hind legs and can weigh anywhere from 50 to 79 kilos, 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 boar and later became beloved protectors of their home and loved ones.
