On May 9, 2013, Pamela Maria Devitt fell victim to a group of feral animals that had been housed in her neighborhood. To protect the illegal drug operation he ran out of his home, Alex Jackson kept a pack of eight pit bulls and other dogs on his property. After the birth of a grandson, Pamela was "hell bent on taking care of herself," according to her husband of 43 years; it was during one of her daily walks that four of Alex's dogs left his yard to reach her. They bit her dozens of times, ripped away most of her hair and scalp, and severed an arm. Though his attorney argued that Alex was "just a pit bull lover," several witnesses reported previous alarming run-ins with the dogs. One witness had offered to donate and install some fencing to keep the animals contained, but Alex had declined. Pamela's husband said that not long before the fatal attack, they had been making plans to move to another state to be closer to family. "Her story should not have ended in such a horrific way."