Madison Riley Hull, Texas College Student, Mauled to Death by Pit Bulls She Was Pet-Sitting in Tyler

A Texas college student was tragically mauled to death by three pit bulls she was pet-sitting at a residence in Tyler, Texas, Friday afternoon, police said. The victim, 23-year-old Madison Riley Hull, was found in the backyard of the home around 4:15 p.m., WFAA reported.

According to her mother, Jennifer Hubbell, the dogs had previously “seemed to love her” before the attack, which reportedly occurred suddenly. A neighbor called 911, and deputies with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office responded, but Hull had already been fatally mauled by the dogs, KYTX reported.

When deputies arrived, the pit bulls reportedly charged at a responding officer, forcing him to fire his service weapon, killing one of the dogs, according to Sgt. Larry Christian of the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The other two dogs survived the incident.

Hull, a student at the University of Texas at Tyler, was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and was just six months away from graduation. Her mother described her as an avid animal lover and experienced dog-sitter, who had previously cared for the family’s children for extended periods. Hull had noted a “change” in the dogs’ behavior shortly before the attack, though she believed the situation would be manageable.

The homeowners were reportedly out of town at the time. Hull’s mother described the loss as devastating, saying she “just dropped to [her] knees” upon hearing the news. Hubbell highlighted her daughter’s passion for teaching, noting that she had a special gift for working with children and making every student feel valued and safe.

A court hearing regarding the two surviving pit bulls is scheduled for Wednesday.