What should have been a day of celebration turned into a nightmare for 32-year-old Simone Lyke, who was tragically mauled to death by her own pit bull on her birthday.
The horrifying incident occurred around 11 pm on July 24 on the balcony of Lyke’s apartment. According to police reports cited by the Daily Mail, Lyke was attempting to move her male bully breed dog outside when it suddenly turned on her in a brutal, sustained attack that lasted nearly 20 minutes.
Investigators say the dog may have been agitated by the presence of a visiting friend in the apartment. As Lyke struggled to regain control, she reportedly used her purse in a desperate attempt to defend herself.
A bystander witnessing the attack from nearby tried to intervene, throwing a pizza at the dog in hopes of distracting it. The effort only briefly diverted the animal’s attention before it resumed its relentless assault.
The dog ultimately ripped off one of Lyke’s arms and inflicted fatal injuries before authorities arrived.
Animal Care Services (ACS) confirmed that Lyke and another individual—believed to be her boyfriend—were listed as the dog’s owners. Following the incident, the second owner was issued criminal citations. Authorities are investigating whether prior complaints or warning signs about the dog were ignored.
Witnesses at the scene reportedly told police there had been previous incidents involving the same dog, raising concerns about whether the attack could have been prevented.
The dog was euthanized following the mauling.
