INDIANAPOLIS — An east Indianapolis grandfather who was attacked by a dog Tuesday morning has died.
IMPD confirmed Tuesday evening that 85-year-old William Mundine died from injuries he received in the incident in the 2300 block of North Kenyon Street, near East 21st Street and North Arlington Avenue, shortly before 10 a.m. Jan. 30.
Family members said the attack happened in Mundine's own backyard.
Indianapolis Animal Care Services workers told 13News it's not the first dog attack in that area. In fact, they say it's at least the third just this week.
Family says the attack happened fast.
Holly Watkins, the victim's granddaughter, said multiple dogs bit her grandfather all over his arms and legs. The mauling caused critical injuries. Mundine died hours later.
"Thank God for him. He lived to be 85 years old," Mundine's wife, Betty, said. "He's been blessed. He is going to be missed."
Watkins said her grandmother watched the whole thing, that two bully breeds and another aggressive dog tried to go after her first. The woman ran into her house to escape.
"My granddaddy came out to try to shoo them away, and two pit bulls, I guess, they attacked him," Watkins said.
"I say he saved my life," Betty said. "He was a hero."
"My mother is distraught," said Melissa Mundine, Willie's daughter. "These dogs are just loose, and they've been on the loose for weeks."
Animal Control officers on the scene told 13News one of this week's incidents in the same neighborhood happened near a school bus stop.
It's why they were already in the area on a sweep and search for aggressive animals when Mundine was attacked.
IMPD was close by, too.
After the attack, IACS says an IMPD officer discharged his service weapon and shot one of the dogs, which is now impounded and getting care.
IACS workers soon captured the second dog. They spent the afternoon searching for a third dog, described as brown and medium-sized. As of Tuesday night, that dog has not been located.
According to IACS, there will be as many as four animal control officers searching the same area Wednesday.
IMPD is also requesting the public's assistance in identifying the owner of the dog pictured below. Anyone with information on the dog's owner is asked to contact IMPD's Nuisance Abatement at 317-327-6169, or call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-8477.
The victim's family says aggressive dogs have been terrorizing their neighborhood regularly.
"Every day, they just come in people's yards," Watkins said. "Like just last night, we were in the backyard – and they ran up on us – and we just had to kinda run and wait for them to leave."
"Find the dogs," Mundine added. "Find the owners of the dogs and let's get this situation handled."
"I'm just scared still," Watkins said. "It's scary that they're still on the loose."
The dog shot by IMPD officers will be held at Indianapolis Animal Care Services for a 10-day quarantine period, during which time officials will try to identify the dog's owners and decide what to do with the dog.
If you have concerns about aggressive animals in your neighborhood, contact the Mayor's Action Center by calling 317-327-4622.