Honk News (Tucson, AZ) – A woman in Tucson tragically lost her life earlier this week due to an incident involving a pit bull mix she was fostering, as confirmed by 13 News.
On Monday, 13 News reported that the Tucson Police Department is conducting a death investigation related to an incident that occurred at a residence in the 6800 block of East Via Arroyo the previous day. The residence is located close to South Kolb Road and Interstate 10.
A Local resident, Raj Sihota, expressed that he and his family were filled with fear when they witnessed police vehicles in the vicinity that evening.
Upon learning additional details about the situation, he offers his heartfelt sympathies to the family.
“It’s sad and I pray for the family,” Sihota said. “It’s really sad and it’s really scary for the whole neighborhood. It’s devastating.”
On Friday, January 24, the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed that the death of 61-year-old Tina Weger resulted from the attack. The cause of death was determined to be accidental.
After more than a year of fostering, Weger’s dog was euthanized following the incident by the Pima Animal Care Center. Steve Kozachik, the interim director of PACC, shared that this was a challenging yet essential choice.
“We don’t take euthanizing lightly out here,” Kozachik said. “But, when an incident like this happens, such a catastrophic incident. There was no way that we could justify putting a dog like that back out in the community.”
Weger dedicated time as a caring foster for animals in Tucson and actively volunteered with several rescue organizations throughout Southern Arizona, including PACC.
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The event had a profound emotional effect on those involved and on the volunteers with the organization.
“We knew her, we respected her, and the staff and volunteers out here are really devastated by the incident,” Kozachik added.
Weger sustained puncture wounds, and the incident is currently under investigation by the Tucson Police Department and Pima Animal Care Center, as reported by OME.
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PACC reported that Weger obtained the dog from a nearby rescue organization.
Kozachik shared with 13 News that although the situation was truly heartbreaking, he remains optimistic that it won’t discourage future fosters and volunteers from supporting PACC and the animals in need.