85-year-old Indianapolis grandfather dies after saving wife from dog attack

An 85-year-old Indianapolis grandfather succumbed to his injuries after he was attacked by dogs in his own backyard. In an interview with WTHR, Holly Watkins said the dogs had initially tried to attack his grandmother before later pouncing on her grandfather William Mundine.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said the fatal January 30 attack happened in the 2300 block of North Kenyon Street. Watkins said her grandfather suffered multiple dog bites on his arms and legs, resulting in the victim sustaining critical injuries. He later succumbed to his injuries.

“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 also said the attack was witnessed by her grandmother, adding that an aggressive dog and two other bully breeds had initially attempted to attack her. Betty, fortunately, managed to rush indoors to save herself.

“My granddaddy came out to try to shoo them away, and two pit bulls, I guess, they attacked him,” said Watkins. Betty also said her husband saved her life. “He was a hero,” Betty added.

Indianapolis Animal Care Services workers told WTHR that the January 30 incident added up to at least three dog attacks that occurred in the location that week. Officers with the agency were said to be combing the area for aggressive animals when Mundine was fatally attacked.

Mundine’s other daughter, Melissa, also said the incident had left their mother “distraught.” “These dogs are just loose, and they’ve been on the loose for weeks,” she stated.

One of the dogs involved in the fatal attack was shot by an IMPD officer in the wake of the incident, the IACS said. That dog has been taken into custody and is receiving care. The second dog was also found shortly by IACS workers – though the third was yet to be captured at the time of this report.

Mundine’s family told the news outlet that aggressive dogs frequently cause trouble in their neighborhood. “Every day, they just come in people’s yards,” Watkins stated. “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.”

“I’m just scared still,” Watkins added. “It’s scary that they’re still on the loose.”

Mundine also urged authorities to “find the dogs” as well as the “owners of the dogs and let’s get this situation handled.”