TYLER, Texas — A 23-year-old college student, just months from graduation, was tragically killed Friday afternoon after being mauled by three pit bulls she was pet-sitting, authorities confirmed. The victim was identified as Madison Riley Hull, a student at the University of Texas at Tyler majoring in early childhood education.
According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a 911 call from a neighbor at around 4:15 p.m. Friday, arriving at a home on Northwood Drive, where they found Hull lying badly injured in the backyard. By the time officers arrived, the three pit bulls had already attacked her.
When a deputy moved in to try to reach Hull, the dogs turned aggressive — one charged at the officer. The deputy fired his service weapon, fatally striking that dog, which caused the other two to flee and allowed him to retrieve Hull from the yard.
Despite the quick response and rescue efforts, Hull died a short time later from her injuries. The deputy who fired the shot suffered only minor injuries.
Her mother, Jennifer Hubbell, described the loss as incomprehensible. In a fundraiser message posted online, she mourned: “I am shattered in a way I didn’t know a human being could break.” Hull’s mother said the dogs “seemed to love her,” but she had recently brought up concerns about a noticeable “change” in their behavior.
Hull had previously cared for the homeowners’ children for weeks and considered dog-sitting the pit bulls a safe job. She was deeply passionate about working with kids — in part inspired by her younger brother’s experiences growing up with autism. Her mother said Madison had a gift for making children feel safe, special, and loved.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community has begun to rally around the family. A GoFundMe set-up by her mother has begun collecting donations for funeral and memorial expenses. Meanwhile, a justice of the peace has ordered the two surviving dogs to be euthanized after the owner waived their right to a hearing.
Such a heartbreaking loss — a life filled with promise, compassion, and service to children — cut far too short in a sudden moment of tragedy.
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