Tragic Death of Promising Education Student
A 23-year-old Texas woman with a bright future ahead of her has died in a horrific incident involving three pit bulls she was looking after for family friends. Madison Hull, who was just six months away from graduating from university, was pet-sitting the animals in her hometown of Tyler when the routine task turned deadly.
The Fatal Afternoon
According to the Smith County Sheriff's Office, the tragedy unfolded last Friday when Hull went to check on the dogs after they had escaped from the property. When she arrived to let them back inside, the animals suddenly turned on her, launching a vicious attack that would prove fatal.
A neighbour who heard the disturbance called emergency services. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered a female lying unconscious in the backyard. Sergeant Larry Christian told reporters that as they attempted to approach the victim, the dogs immediately charged at one of the officers, forcing him to take defensive action.
"He was able to shoot and kill one of the dogs causing the others to retreat into the home," Christian explained. This allowed emergency personnel to reach Hull and transport her from the property, though sadly she could not be saved.
Warning Signs and Heartbroken Family
In a chilling revelation, Hull's mother Jennifer Hubbell shared that her daughter had recently expressed concerns about changes in the dogs' behaviour. "So she said that they hadn't always been that way. It was like a change in behaviour," Hubbell told local media.
The grieving mother described her daughter as an "amazing, loving, caring, compassionate person" who had been heavily involved with the dog owners' children in recent weeks. Hull was studying early childhood education at the University of Texas at Tyler and was due to graduate in May next year.
Her career choice was inspired by her younger brother who has autism. "She wanted to better learn how to help him and help me help him," Hubbell said. "She lived for it. That is truly what she loved."
Investigation and Aftermath
Investigators are now working with the Smith County District Attorney's Office to determine whether the dogs' owners, who were out of town during the attack, will face criminal charges. A hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday to decide the fate of the two surviving dogs.
Smith County Judge Andy Dunklin confirmed that the owners are aware of the court proceedings, though it remains unclear whether they will attend.
Meanwhile, Hull's family and friends have established a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses, which had raised more than $10,000 by Tuesday morning. Tributes have poured in on social media, with one friend writing: "You truly had an impact on everyone you met. Not one memory do I have that you are not smiling, laughing, kind, supportive, friend, and sister."
Another close friend remembered: "Madi was such a loving, sweet, and kind girl - her presence would light up our home, and we'd have the best times together."
This tragic incident follows another recent fatal dog attack in Oklahoma, where a couple was arrested after their family pit bull mauled their two-year-old daughter to death.
