A quiet evening turned into a nightmare for a Walnut Park West family after a deaf woman was mauled to death by a pack of dogs in her own backyard.
Gladys Anthony, 62, tragically lost her life in the attack, while her husband sustained injuries while trying to save her.
The incident occurred around 11:40 p.m. two weeks ago when St. Louis police responded to a ShotSpotter alert detecting gunfire near Theodore Avenue and Riverview Boulevard.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that the gunfire was from Gladys’s husband, who had fired shots in a desperate attempt to stop the dogs from attacking his wife.
According to police reports, the husband also used a broom to fend off the animals, but the dogs had already inflicted severe injuries on Gladys.
“They took a chunk of her arm, her legs were ate up. It was nothing that could be done to stop those damn dogs,” said a family member.
Two officers on the scene pepper-sprayed the dogs to subdue them, while a third officer brought Gladys inside to administer first aid. She was rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency surgery but tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Gladys’s daughter, Keisha Anthony, expressed her heartbreak in an emotional statement. “Feeling the grief of what it feels like to be without my mother… I can’t call her on a video phone and see how she’s doing. I can’t do none of that no more. She’s gone.”
Family members believe Gladys, who was deaf, may not have been aware of the danger approaching her.
“With her being deaf, she likely never knew of the looming danger,” said her brother, John Jenkins.
The tragedy has left the community in shock and mourning. Gladys, described as a sweet and loving woman, was just days away from celebrating her birthday.
“She was so loved by everyone who knew her,” Jenkins added. “Now it’s just me.”
St. Louis police have launched an investigation into the incident, including how the dogs entered the property and their ownership.
Authorities stressed the importance of community safety, stating, “This was an absolute tragedy. We want people to feel safe in their neighborhood. They have a right to feel safe.”
The family is grappling with the sudden loss of a beloved mother, sister, and friend.