85-year-old grandfather mauled to death by dogs while protecting wife: ‘He saved my life’

An 85-year-old grandfather died while defending his wife in a vicious dog attack in Indiana, according to reports.

William Mundine was fatally mauled in his own backyard by multiple dogs in Indianapolis around 10 a.m. on Wednesday after they first went after his wife, Betty, family members said.

She ran into the house and helplessly watched on as dogs repeatedly bit her husband, who had tried to shoo them away, according to Holly Watkins, the victim’s granddaughter.

“I say he saved my life,” Betty told WTHR. “He was a hero.”

“Thank God for him. He lived to be 85 years old,” she said. “He’s been blessed. He is going to be missed.”

Mundine suffered critical injuries to his arms and legs during the attack.

He later died from his wounds at the hospital.

“My mother is distraught,” said the man’s daughter, Melissa Mundine. “These dogs are just loose, and they’ve been on the loose for weeks.”

This was the third dog attack in the area just this week, including one at a school bus stop, according to animal control officials — who were already nearby at the time of the attack looking for aggressive animals.

Officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) shot one of the dogs after the attack. It’s being held at the pound where it is receiving treatment, officials told WTHR.

Indianapolis Animal Control Service soon picked up the second dog.

They scoured the area for a third dog, described as brown and medium-sized, but have not yet located it.

Holly Watkins recalled the horror of first hearing her grandfather’s screams.

“It was just horrifying, scary. I’ve never seen him like that,” Watkins told WRTV. “I will never forget those cries.”

Neighbors who live nearby claim that aggressive stray dogs have been an ongoing problem lately, WRTV reported.

Police have asked for the public’s help in identifying the owner of one of the dogs.

“Find the dogs,” Melissa Mundine said. “Find the owners of the dogs and let’s get this situation handled.”