A 61-year-old woman in Tennessee who was hailed as the “heart and soul” of her family has died after being mauled by two dogs, her family reported.
Theresa Rhodes was on her way to see a friend in Bolivar, Tenn., on Monday, July 1, when she was attacked by the “vicious” creatures, according to her sister Shirley Callaway, who started a GoFundMe account to assist raise cash for her funeral.
At before 1:30 a.m., the Bolivar Police Department responded to a report of a woman bleeding on the street, according to USA Today. According to the outlet, when they arrived, Rhodes was discovered with “extensive injuries” and two dogs beside her. One of the dogs was shot by an officer in an attempt to aid Rhodes, while the other escaped the scene. Rhodes was transferred to a hospital and died the following day.
The police department posted an alert notice on Facebook, informing residents of the Sycamore Street and Mitchell Street areas that one of the “two dangerous dogs” had been apprehended.
“The other is described as blue-gray with pit bull-like traits. Please be extremely cautious while outdoors or walking around this neighborhood,” the department stated. The message was then amended on Tuesday, July 2, to reflect that both canines had been formally apprehended.
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Police told her that her sister tried to fight off the dogs with an object.
“My sister only weighed about 90 pounds. She had no battle for the two dogs. “They say she fought until she couldn’t fight any longer,” Callaway explained.
Rhodes made a significant difference in the lives of all of her loved ones. “Theresa was not only a mother to two daughters whom she tragically lost to cancer, but also a loving grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, and cousin to many,” Callaway wrote on Rhodes’ GoFundMe page.
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“Her infectious smile and vibrant personality brought joy to everyone around her,” she told me. “She was the heart and soul of our family, and her loss has left us devastated.”
As of this writing, the campaign has raised more than $1,000 of its $11,000 target PEOPLE stated.