Maple Heights police kill dogs after woman mauled; witnesses say officers saved her life
MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) – Maple Heights police shot and killed two dogs on Sunday afternoon. Witnesses maintain the quick, decisive action by the officers saved the victim's life.
Police were called to a home in the 5200 block of Henry Street after residents reported that a woman was being mauled by her two dogs, three-year-old Cane Corsos.
The attack was so vicious that the victim pleaded with witnesses to use their cars to break the grip of the two dogs.
'I'm sorry, we just pulled up to my house and we just saw these two dogs attacking this lady. The lady is trying to tell us to run the dogs over but we don't feel comfortable because we might hit her,' a neighbor told the 911 dispatcher.
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'No, no, no, don't run her over!' the dispatcher responded.
One of the first officers arriving at the scene realized the woman's life was hanging in the balance and immediately opened fire on the animals.
Police body camera video reveals one of the Cane Corsos was killed almost immediately.
The second dog was wounded and video from a neighbor's Ring camera showed him running back home.
He was put down by officers a short time later.
Investigators said the victim, 62-year-old Rhonda Johnson, suffered severe injuries to her left arm, her legs and her chest.
Officers rendered first aid at the scene until paramedics arrived and took her by ambulance to MetroHealth Medical Center.
Witnesses said the decision by police to quickly neutralize the dogs was life saving.
'Those dogs were chewing, mangling her up and let's say another five minutes, that would have been it for her,' neighbor Thomas Rackliffe told FOX 8.
'It takes a lot to get them off, so he did the right thing. He saved her life,' another neighbor, Rob Searcy, said.
Residents on Henry Street said the two dogs had a history of being aggressive.
'They used to jump over the fence, kids come, they would chase the kids around the neighborhood. I had an incident when I first moved in and one of them charged at me. It nipped on my knee, so yes, I wasn't surprised at all,' said Searcy.
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Neighbors said they believe the behavior of the two dogs is a reflection of the way they were treated over the past three years.
They said the Cane Corsos were brothers and friendly as puppies, but they were neglected for extended periods of time after their original owner was arrested on drug charges.
'They should have been treated like a human and they weren't. Being cooped up in that yard for the last three years and not being taken care of very well. I think that changed them because they used to come over here and I used to pet them all the time. Now look at them,' Rackliffe said.
Residents contend that the aggressiveness of the dogs on Sunday was a result of the way they were treated.
'My father has a Cane Corso and he is the most loveable dog that you could possibly meet, but of course depending on each owner, how they're raised can dictate if they're aggressive or not,' said Searcy. 'Whatever breed it is, if you raise them right, they're going to be your best companion.'
We are told that Johnson is in stable condition at Metro after undergoing surgery on Sunday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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