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ANIMAL WATCH - Less than 60 days after Best Friends Animal Society and Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared April as Arkansas’ statewide “No-Kill Shelter Month,” 15-year-old Makalya Fortner was mauled to death by at least 14 Pit Bull dogs as she and her mother tried to feed them in the yard of an unofficial “animal rescue.”
The volunteer effort developed as a result of overcrowded shelters not able to accept more animals, Arkansas.On-line-News reported on June 12, 2025. Social media was used to try to locate homes for the dogs in the local area.
On June 13, an updated report was released which provided more details and information about the killing of Makayla and which provides the link to a Go Fund Me Donation Page set up by a friend to help her mother with unexpected expenses as she deals with the grief of losing her daughter.
‘BEAUTIFUL GIRL WITH THE KINDEST SOUL”
Makayla is described as “a beautiful, bright girl with the kindest soul, whose smile could light up a room, and her laughter was the kind that made others feel instantly at ease. She is deeply loved by her family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her,” the family friend wrote.
SHERIFF’S MEDIA RELEASE DESCRIBES SHOCKING ATTACK
The Saline County Arkansas Sheriff's Office shared a press release stating:
“On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at approximately 12:15 p.m., the Saline County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that a female had been attacked by dogs. Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded immediately to the scene.”
Officials added, “Upon arrival, it was determined that a 15-year-old female had been fatally attacked by multiple dogs located within a secured, fenced area on private property.”
There were around 30 dogs inside the residence “as part of a rescue," police said.
VICTIM HAD BEEN ASSISTING THE DOG RESCUE
“The victim had been previously assisting the rescue with the care of the animals and helping to find them permanent homes,” authorities said. The reason for the sudden and tragic attack is unknown.
“Benton Animal Control arrived and assisted in rounding up the marauding dogs and all were captured.
Apparently the “rescue” had been established before moving to this location. “They moved in with a huge amount of dogs and a large amount of broken vehicles,” a neighbor said.
Another neighbor witnessed the first responding officer arrive on the day of the attack and saw him discharge his sidearm multiple times to get the dogs away from the fence.
“I watched a Saline County Sheriff’s deputy come out and go up to the fence, and a bunch of dogs ran up to the fence,” he told reporters.
“He pulled out his pistol and shot into the ground twice, and the dogs ran, except for the one hit by a bullet.”
For months, neighbors said they had complained about the problem with the pack of dogs being out of control — and that sometimes they just ran loose throughout the area.
“This was a beautiful young girl who lost her life because these people did not properly take care of their dogs and have a hoarding issue.”
Neighbor Heidi Clay (not pictured) said that the dogs were so “vicious” that “no one wanted to let their children walk to and from the bus stop,” according to ABC7.
Benton City officials reportedly seized 14 dogs from the property and all were euthanized because there was no way to distinguish which were involved in the attack.
However, officials said that four dogs that were locked inside the house during the attack were left on the property.
The Saline County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident with the assistance of Benton Animal Control.
A GoFundMe was established to help Makayla Fortner’s mother with expenses and for friends and strangers who want to honor her short, but meaningful life.
THE PIT-BULL DISASTER
It is obvious that one breed-type is responsible for most of the attacks/fatal maulings and severe injuries worldwide, and it is time for these dogs to be controlled in the U.S.
While there is always an exception where someone has a Pit Bull that lived a consistent life of patient, loving devotion, this breed has historically been intentionally bred for animal aggression, impulsive attacks and dog fighting.
And, because this breed of dog has always been dependent upon people for food/shelter and survival, they are masters of seduction and manipulation and the owner is often the last one to realize the dog’s true nature and propensities until there is a tragedy or an attack--often on the owner him/herself or a beloved family member--with no warning.
Will Best Friends call these “Nanny Dogs?”
Best Friends Animal Society remains the primary organization that consistently supports Pit Bulls as pets; but, with so many attacks reported by the media there is no way to ignore the degree of damage done and number of deaths caused by this breed.
It would seem that this high-profile “rescue/adoption” organization that reported its total revenue for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, at $173,491,983 (a 22-percent increase over 2022) should want to assure that only dogs of any breed with sound temperaments are placed in homes.
Even if this powerful “Save-them-all” organization primarily benefits from campaigns for animals, there should be no monetary or other goal more important than human lives.
(Phyllis M. Daugherty is a former Los Angeles City employee, an animal activist and a contributor to CityWatch.)
