SALINE COUNTY, Ark. — A 15-year-old girl was tragically killed Wednesday in a dog attack at an unregulated animal rescue site in Saline County. Authorities say the teen had been volunteering to care for approximately 30 dogs kept on the property when the deadly incident occurred.
Deputies from the Saline County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call shortly after noon reporting a dog attack. When emergency crews arrived, they found the girl deceased within a fenced area housing the dogs. The victim, later identified by local news outlet MySaline as Makayla Fortner, was known to have worked with the animals in the past.
The rescue operation was described as informal, with no official oversight. While the motive behind the sudden aggression remains unknown, officials confirmed that Benton Animal Control took custody of the dogs following the attack. Fourteen of the animals were euthanized. Investigators are still working to determine exactly what triggered the fatal mauling.
Makayla Fortner had been known for her compassion and love for animals. A GoFundMe page created in her memory described her as kind-hearted and vibrant, with proceeds going toward funeral expenses and to support her grieving mother. The tragic loss has left the community devastated and asking how such a disaster could occur.
Neighbors say the incident could have been prevented. Several residents told ABC affiliate KATV they had repeatedly reported concerns about the dogs’ aggressive behavior. Heidi Clay, who lives nearby, said the animals often lunged at people through the fence and that local children had to be escorted to the bus stop for safety. “If somebody had done something, then maybe this little girl would be alive,” she said.
City of Benton spokesperson Matt Thibault said the rescue began with good intentions but ended in tragedy. “This had all the best of intentions, and it turned into the worst nightmare for everybody involved,” he told the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. The heartbreaking event has renewed calls for stricter oversight of informal animal rescues and improved enforcement of safety regulations to prevent similar tragedies.