Colorado Woman Arrested After Dogs Fatally Maul Her Elderly Mother
A Pueblo County woman has been arrested on felony charges after her 76-year-old mother was fatally attacked by dogs in a horrific incident earlier this year. According to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office, 47-year-old Jessica Hoff was taken into custody on Friday on charges of negligence resulting in the death of an at-risk adult, along with 54 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.
The incident took place on February 3 at a residence on the 4800 block of Jefferson Boulevard in Colorado City. Deputies responded to a report of an unconscious woman that evening and arrived to find LaVonne Hoff unresponsive on the floor with several dogs running loose in the home. Another two dozen dogs and seven birds were discovered caged inside the residence. LaVonne was pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy later confirmed her cause of death as a result of a dog attack.
The investigation revealed that LaVonne, who had dementia and required constant care, had been left alone in the home by her daughter while she ran errands in Pueblo. During that time, the unattended dogs attacked the elderly woman, leading to her death.
Detectives later executed a search warrant on Jessica Hoff’s home and a second property she owned nearby. A total of 54 dogs and seven birds were removed from both properties. Authorities say many of the animals were in poor health and living in filthy, unsanitary conditions. Animal control officials are now overseeing the care of the rescued animals.
Jessica Hoff was booked into the Pueblo County Jail and faces multiple felony charges. She is scheduled to appear in court on April 22. The case has raised serious concerns about elder neglect and animal hoarding, with authorities stressing the importance of proper supervision for at-risk individuals and humane treatment for animals.
