When non pitbulls murder, everyone seems capable of pursuing justice.
🕊️ 𝗜𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗢𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗱
📍Virginia, USA
🗓 January 29, 2022
Victim’s age: 7
Attacker: 4yo Rottweiler
Seven year old Olivia Grace Floyd was known for her spunky, sweet, and caring nature. She loved life, loved others, and by all accounts brought light into every room.
That light was extinguished on January 29, 2022, when she was mauled to death by her grandparents’ 4 year old Rottweiler, a family dog she likely trusted, as so many children do.
🚨 This tragedy is heartbreaking. But what followed next is equally shocking, and worth public attention.
🔒 Both of Olivia’s grandparents were arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including:
• Non-capital murder
• Involuntary manslaughter
• Child abuse causing serious injury
• Cruelty/injury to a child
• Harboring a vicious dog that inflicted serious harm
They each face up to 70 years in prison, and were denied bond. Even Olivia’s parents were arrested and charged in connection to her death.
Make no mistake, this is exactly what we advocate for on this page. Instead of BSL, we want to see owners arrested and handed serious charges.
And yet…
🐾 Every year, more than 70% of fatal dog attacks are caused by pit bull type dogs. In many of these cases, the dogs have a known history of aggression, have attacked before, or are unregistered, untrained, or unsupervised.
❗In most of these cases:
• There are no arrests
• No charges are filed
• Animal control may have prior documentation, but no action is taken
• Families are often left to bury their children while the dog lives on, or is quietly euthanized without consequence
Why was Olivia’s case treated so differently?
📊 When non pit bull breeds kill, prosecution can be swift and severe. But when pit bulls kill, even in homes where they’ve previously attacked, the public is told it’s a freak accident. The owner is called “loving,” the child is blamed, and the dog is mourned more than the victim. Police release statements saying it was, “a tragic accident.”
⚖️ This is the inequality in our legal system.
🔎 Olivia’s death is not less tragic because a Rottweiler was involved, and pit bull deaths are not less heinous because the breed is politically protected. All victims deserve justice. All children deserve equal protection.
To honor Olivia, we call for:
• Equal enforcement of dangerous dog laws
• Transparent fatality tracking
• Consistent prosecution when a dog with known risk kills
• Victim centered narratives, not dog centered apologetics
Rest in peace, Olivia.
Your life mattered. I’m glad the police acted as such. Let’s make sure they act this way for ALL victims.
Parents for Dog Bite Awareness 
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