A family in Florida is mourning an unimaginable loss after an 8-year-old boy, Michael Millett, was tragically attacked and killed by two pit bulls. The heartbreaking incident happened on Monday evening in DeLand, near the entrance to Michael’s subdivision at Arabesque Drive and Airport Road.
According to Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Michael and a friend were riding their bikes just before 5 p.m. when they spotted two dogs wandering the street. Like most kids his age, Michael, full of innocence and curiosity, got off his bike to pet them. At first, the dogs seemed friendly, but then, in a horrifying turn of events, they suddenly attacked.
The terrifying scene was captured in a 911 call, where a frantic woman reported the attack. “There’s a little boy being attacked by two dogs,” she told the dispatcher. When asked if Michael knew the dogs, the woman said no. Her voice trembled as she described the horror unfolding in front of her. “They’re literally tugging on him. Please hurry. He’s not moving… He was screaming for help, and now he’s not responding.”
The background of the call is equally gut-wrenching, with Michael’s mother screaming his name in sheer desperation. Sheriff Chitwood later recounted how she threw herself on top of Michael to try and stop the attack. “To hear her screaming, ‘Somebody help me! He’s not breathing,’ it cuts to the core,” Chitwood said, visibly shaken.
Michael didn’t survive the attack. Chitwood described the event as “horrific,” saying the young boy never stood a chance against the brutal mauling. Now, investigators are looking into the dog owner’s responsibility, with Chitwood expressing a strong belief that the owner should face criminal charges. “We’ll do everything possible to hold the owner accountable,” he stated. “These dogs need to be destroyed.”
The dogs are currently in the custody of Volusia County Animal Services. Angela Miedema, the agency’s director, explained that the owner must give permission for the dogs to be euthanized. If the owner refuses, the agency will need to take legal action to gain custody.
Neighbors have since come forward with chilling stories about the dogs, saying they were often loose and had even killed chickens in the past. However, no one had ever reported these incidents to authorities. “This didn’t happen in a vacuum,” Chitwood said. “These dogs have been terrorizing the neighborhood for a while, and no one called us.”
Michael’s devastated family has started a GoFundMe to help with expenses and honor his memory. As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser has collected around $50,000. “Our family is heartbroken,” the page reads. “Michael was incredibly smart, funny, caring, and adventurous. His laugh and light will be missed so much.”
The loss of such a young, vibrant soul has left a deep void in the lives of everyone who knew him, and the community is rallying to support the family during this unimaginably difficult time.
