Colorado Woman Charged After Mother’s Fatal Dog Mauling

In a sad Colorado City occurrence, several dogs in a 76-year-old dementia sufferer’s house mauled her fatally. At age 47, Jessica Hoff, her daughter, has been arrested and allegations involving criminal negligence resulting in the death of an at-risk adult and 54 instances of aggravated cruelty to animals exist.

Incident Overview

Deputies from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office answered a call reporting an unconscious woman at a Jefferson Boulevard residence on February 3. When they arrived, LaVonne Hoff was not waking and many dogs were running wild within the house. LaVonne was declared deceased on scene despite quick assistance. Later autopsy verified that her death came from injuries received during a dog attack. ​

Investigation Findings

Authorities found that Jessica Hoff had run errands in Pueblo leaving her mother, who needed 24-hour care due to dementia, alone with the dogs. The canines that were loose in the house attacked LaVonne during this time. Additional inquiry resulted in deputies carrying search warrants for both the residence and another Colorado City property owned by Jessica. Seven birds and fifty-four canines in all were discovered to be living in unhygienic conditions and with some animals in bad health.

Taken into jail and placed into the Pueblo County Jail was Jessica Hoff. Along with 54 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, she is accused with Class 4 felony criminal negligence leading to the death of an at-risk adult. She is slated to be up in court on March 27; her bond has been set at $50,000.

Community Impact and Animal Welfare Concerns

Particularly in homes with vulnerable people, this event has generated major questions about animal welfare and the obligations of pet ownership among the Colorado City community. When neighbours found out about the attack, they were shocked; some pointed out they knew nothing about the abundance of animals in the house. Local resident Hope Wood remarked on her amazement, saying, “I just couldn’t believe that it was a dog attack.”

This episode fits a worrisome trend of lethal dog attacks involving defenceless people. Similar events have happened, including the indictment of a Converse woman in Texas after a toddler she was looking for mauled died.

LaVonne Hoff’s sad passing underlines the great need of responsible pet ownership as well as the requirement of strict supervision when looking after at-risk people. The community stays alert as judicial processes against Jessica Hoff advance, stressing the need of protecting human as well as animal welfare.