Pennsylvania Mom Mauled to Death by Great Danes in Front of Young Son While Pet Sitting

Kristen Potter/Facebook

A 38-year-old mother in Pennsylvania was attacked and killed by her neighbor's two Great Dane dogs in front of her young son. Kristen Potter was feeding the neighbor’s dogs at a home in Centre Township while they were away, when the attack occurred. Her son was reportedly with her when she went to feed the dogs, but ran for help as soon as they started to attack.

Tragically, local law enforcement and first responders were unable to get to Potter until the dogs were tranquilized by animal control, reported the New York Post. Potter leaves behind two young sons and her husband, Jacob Fickett.

The dog’s owner is ‘heartbroken.’

Wendy Sabathne, the dog’s owner said, “I’m heartbroken, I’m in shock, I’m in disbelief and I just want to die. I can’t believe this happened," reported the New York Post. The two dogs that attacked Potter have been euthanized at a vet’s office. There was a third dog in Sabathne’s home, also a Great Dane, but it was not involved in the attack, according to officials.

This was not the first incident between Potter and the neighbor’s dogs. Bill Keefer, Potter’s father, said Potter was previously bitten by one of the dogs, “two or three years ago," he said according to the New York Post.

This is not the first tragedy for the Potter family.

Sadly, this is not the first tragedy the Potter family has experienced. The family has endured several losses in the past few years. Potter’s first husband died a few years ago, as did her 11-year-old son, who was struck by a car while riding his bike in 2020, reported the New York Post.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help the Potter family.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Potter’s sister, Jennifer Keefer, and her husband, Jacob Fickett, to be able to support and help with the care of Kristen’s two young boys. So far over $10,000 has been raised of the $20,000 goal to help with the care of Potter’s children.

“All of the money donated will be going straight to these two boys and their future to get help getting through this and to live a healthy life and be able to follow their dreams and have a bright future ahead. To be able to do the things their mother had planned for them and their future. We appreciate and thank each and every one of you who have a kind heart to donate to such a tragic loss," Keefer wrote on the page.

Kristen Potter will be remembered and missed by her family.

gofundme

Kristen Potter will be remembered as a caring mother and someone who had a “very beautiful personality” her sister, Keefer said. “When you’re around her, you just feel better. When you talk to her you just feel better. She was just loveable to be around, everyone loved her," Keefer told WGAL.

Kristen was also an artist, and “took pride in her land and her animals,” in addition to being a loving mother, Keefer said, according to WGAL.