- Sandra Miller was attacked by her son’s dogs in her own backyard on Halloween
- Police said it was a massacre and that her leg was chewed to the bone
- Her son, 38-year-old Jeremy Miller, was charged nearly five months later
A Utah grandmother died after her son’s seven pit bulls attacked her and bit her leg off to the bone.
Sandra Dee Miller, 63, was attacked by two adult pit bulls and five puppies in her Taylorsville backyard on Halloween 2023 and died on November 6.
Her 38-year-old son, Jeremy Miller, was charged Tuesday with one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty, seven counts, reported ABC4.
According to court documents, when police arrived at the home near 4800 South and 2900 West, the dogs appeared to be out of control and Miller had serious injuries.
‘There was no flesh on her leg and only the bone remained. There was so much blood that the officer could not see her other injuries,” the affidavit said.
Police said they contacted Jeremy, who told them he lived at the address where the incident occurred and arrived on the scene about 20 minutes later.
“He was clearly upset because his fence was damaged and his dogs had been taken by animal control,” the statement said.
Sandra Dee Miller (center left), 63, was attacked in her own backyard on Halloween by her son Jeremy’s two adult pit bulls and five puppies
Jeremy Miller was charged with seven animal cruelty attacks nearly five months later
Officers had to climb the fence to rescue Miller and said the dogs “had blood on and around their mouths and appeared to be in a frenzy.”
“The dogs were still extremely aggressive, and it took multiple Taylorsville police officers and animal control officers to keep the dogs away from the victim and in the yard,” the documents said.
“When the female pit bull tried to escape, (an officer) shot her six times with his Glock and noticed that other officers were also shooting her and that she was no longer a danger to the public.”
The remaining adult male and puppies were taken to animal control, where they were all eventually euthanized, it was reported Fox 13.
‘The defendant, by virtue of having the charge, care, custody or control of an animal, even if such care or custody was temporary, permitted that animal to attack a person, domestic animal or fowl, or any protected species. The person in charge, care, custody or control shall be strictly liable for this crime,” according to court documents.
Legal analyst Greg Skordas said KSL that Miller was unlikely to face a prison sentence even if convicted – and that if a judge were to impose a custodial sentence, it would likely be no longer than 90 days.
Police said when they arrived on scene, the dogs had blood on their mouths and looked as if they were crazed. They said Sandra’s leg had been gnawed off and had to be amputated
Police initially reported that one of Sandra’s legs had to be amputated, but she died from her injuries a week after the attack.
She is survived by her two siblings, five children, fourteen grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren and friends. Some of her hobbies included collecting crystals, dragons and any little trinkets that caught her eye obituary read.
“We are grateful for every moment we shared with her. We cherish that we were able to say goodbye and that she was surrounded by her loved ones during her final moments.’