MODESTO — Detectives believe stray dogs attacked and killed a woman Thursday in South Modesto.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department reports around 7:50 a.m. 56-year-old Deborah Onsurez was found with severe injuries in the driveway of a home on Crows Landing Road near the intersection of South 7th Street.
Officials pronounced Onsurez dead at the scene.
Detectives said they believe the 56-year-old was killed by stray dogs. When deputies and animal control officers searched the immediate area for the dogs they could not find them.
“I’ve never heard anything about anyone getting attacked, not even dog on dog fighting, or anything,” said nearby business owner Neil Tillak.
Saturday, Stanislaus County Animal Services and the City of Modesto Animal Control will have crews out searching for the animals. The dogs’ breeds have not been determined.
Tillak says when he heard that a body had been found he assumed the person had been shot. He was shocked to find out the woman was believed to be killed by dogs.
“That’s sad and that’s scary really because there’s kids around here too,” Tillak said. “Imagine if one of those dogs get a hold of someone like that.”
