The dog was taken into custody and placed on a 10-day bite hold, officials said.
DURHAM, NC — A Durham woman died after police said she fell inside her home and was attacked by her dog on Thursday night, prompting a death investigation and a mandatory quarantine for the animal.
Authorities said the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, and they have not released her name. Investigators are still working to sort out what caused her death and how the incident unfolded inside the house. The case has raised questions about whether the fatal injuries came from the fall, the dog attack, or both.
Police said officers were called to a home on North Driver Street near East Main Street at about 9:29 p.m. on Thu., Feb. 5. When they arrived, they found the woman down inside the residence, according to officials. The dog had attacked her, police said, though authorities did not describe the full extent of her injuries. Paramedics and officers tried to help, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
A neighbor who asked not to be identified said the news left people on the street shaken. “Well, it’s scary because that can happen to anyone,” the neighbor said. “But I have dogs myself, and that’s why I’m scared to get a big dog.” Police said no one else was hurt during the incident. Investigators did not say whether anyone else was inside the home at the time or who called 911.
Durham police said the Durham County Sheriff’s Office Animal Services took possession of the dog after the woman was found. Deputies said the dog was placed on a 10-day bite hold, a standard procedure after a reported bite to monitor an animal’s health status. Officials did not release the dog’s breed, name, age, or vaccination history, and they did not say where the dog is being held during the bite hold period.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office did not share what kind of dog was involved. Police also did not say whether the dog had a known history of aggression or whether there had been earlier calls to the home involving the animal. Authorities said the investigation is continuing and that they are still trying to determine how the woman fell and whether she died as a direct result of the dog attack.
People who work with dogs said attacks inside a home are unusual, though they can happen when warning signs are missed or when a dog is under stress. Javier Mendoza, a dog trainer with 12 years of experience, said serious incidents often build over time. “Most of the time, you’re going to have a dog that told you, but those things were missed over time,” Mendoza said. “Then, it can lead to a bigger issue.”
In North Carolina, a bite hold generally means the animal is confined and observed for a set period after a bite is reported. The step can become part of a wider review of what happened, including interviews, medical and veterinary records, and decisions by animal control about whether an animal is dangerous under local rules. Officials have not said whether the dog will face additional restrictions after the hold ends.
Investigators typically rely on a medical examination to help determine a cause of death when there are multiple possible contributing factors. In this case, police have not said whether an autopsy has been completed or when results may be released. They also have not announced any criminal charges and have not suggested that any person is suspected of wrongdoing.
The incident happened on a residential stretch near East Main Street, an area of mixed homes and small businesses where neighbors say they often know one another. Several residents said they were surprised to hear the death involved a dog inside the home, since most reports of dog attacks involve encounters outdoors or in public spaces. Officials have not said whether the dog was the woman’s pet, but deputies described it as the victim’s dog when discussing the bite hold.
Police have kept many details private as the investigation continues. They have not released the woman’s age, whether she lived alone, or what may have caused her to fall. They also have not said whether the dog attacked immediately after the fall or later, or whether the woman was able to call for help. Authorities have described the case as an active death investigation while they try to establish the sequence of events.
As of Sunday, officials said the dog remained in custody on the 10-day bite hold and the woman had not been publicly identified. Police said they were still working to learn whether the fatal injuries were tied to the fall, the attack, or a combination. The next major update is expected after investigators complete medical findings and finish initial interviews tied to the call.
Author note: Last updated February 8, 2026.