'Kind-Hearted' Teen Girl Mauled To Death While Trying To Feed 30-40 Dogs

Last Updated:June 13, 2025, 19:52 IST

Makayla Fortner, 15, was killed after she tried to care for around 30 to 40 starving dogs in Arkansas, United States.

A teen girl was killed after she tried to care for around 30 to 40 starving dogs in Arkansas. (AI-Generated Image)

In an act of kindness, a teenage girl from Arkansas in the United States attempted to feed several malnourished dogs neglected by their owners. However, her kindness was repaid by brutality as she was horrifically mauled to death by the pack.

Makayla Fortner, 15, was killed on the property of the home in Alexander as she tried to care for around 30 to 40 starving dogs on Wednesday, the New York Post reported, citing local media.

Fortner and her mother, Stephanie Wilkie, had been trying to care for the dogs and wanted to rescue them after noticing their state of neglect. However, the young girl was brutally mauled to death by dogs, and a responding officer had to shoot in the air several times to get the dogs away from the fence.

Following the deadly attack, city officials seized 14 dogs from the property and had them euthanised. However, four dogs that were locked inside the house during the attack were left inside the property.

Fortner’s neighbour, Ralph Murphy, said, “I watched a Saline County deputy come out and go up to the fence, and a bunch of dogs ran up to the fence. He pulled out his pistol and shot into the ground twice, and the dogs ran."

‘Kindest Soul’

A GoFundMe page was set up for the 15-year-old girl, saying she was a “beautiful, bright girl with the kindest soul". It said, “Her 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."

Neighbours had been complaining for months about the problems concerning the pack of dogs, with many reporting to authorities that they would sometimes run loose throughout the area. However, county officials told residents several times that there was nothing they could do.

Heidi Clay, one of the residents, said that the dogs were so “vicious" that “no one wanted to let their children walk to and from the bus stop." She said all the neighbours were upset when the dogs moved in.

“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."

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international...

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Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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News world 'Kind-Hearted' Teen Girl Mauled To Death While Trying To Feed 30-40 Dogs