DETROIT (WWJ) - Shauntaye Phillips, the wife of Harold Phillips who sustained serious injuries after being mauled by three dogs in Detroit earlier this week, confirmed her husband has died, stating she is "just lost" after the tragic turn of events.
"It’s with deep sadness that I announce Harold’s passing," she said in a statement provided to WWJ through Fieger Law. "It’s painful to think of all the important milestones Harold will miss in our children’s lives, from our son’s first basketball game this weekend to our daughter’s upcoming daddy-daughter dance that he was looking forward to. Our lives will never be the same. We are forever grateful for our community’s prayers, donations and support you’ve given our family."
Harold, a beloved husband and father to six children, was viciously attacked by three loose dogs on Monday, Jan. 29 on Detroit's west side as he was walking from the bus stop on W. Chicago near Longacre
The dogs' owner, Roy Goodman, told WXYZ that he noticed the animals weren't on his property and went out looking for them when he heard someone yelling for help.
Goodman immediately called 911 and a gravely injured Harold was rushed to Corewell Health in Dearborn.
In an update to GoFundMe on Feb. 1, Shauntaye said doctors had to amputate his right arm above the elbow. He was given a guarded prognosis, but was continuing to fight for his life.
In a later update the same day, Shauntaye wrore that her husband's condition was not improving and his organs were failing.
"I will not take him off the ventilator cause God has the final say," she wrote in the update.
On Friday, Feb, 2, she announced that Harold had passed with a final update on Saturday stating that she "wouldn't leave his side."
"As long as his heart was beating, we was fighting," she wrote, her heartbreak clear in the post. "Our children needed him [and] now I'm just lost. My babies need their dad. I need my husband #Day1."
As reported by WXYZ, Goodman admitted the three dogs he owns with his wife were also involved in other attacks, one of which included a young child.
On the other two occasions, a contractor and an adult were bitten.
"After the child situation, the one dog should have definitely been put down," Goodman said.
He expressed sadness over the latest incident and his willingness to help where he can.
"To the Phillips family, I'm so sorry," Goodman said. "Nothing I can do can make this right but if there's anything I can do, I will."
Detroit Animal Care and Control confirmed the three dogs involved in the attack were euthanized. A fourth dog owned by the couple was also seized.
According to animal control, the 2021 bite case involving the Goodman's dog and the child was deemed "provoked" with the injury classified as "non-severe."
The dog was quarantined and then released to the Goodmans who were also fined over the incident.
Both Goodman and his wife had legal action taken against them regarding the dogs, with Goodman charged in 2021 with failing to prevent an animal from engaging in nuisance/menacing behavior, a misdemeanor. His wife was charged the same year for having too many dogs.
The City of Detroit only permits two dogs per household, animal control stated.
Now, the couple are being slammed with several violations, each carrying a $500 fine, to include: having unlicensed dogs, no proof of rabies vaccines, having more than two dogs per household, and failing to prevent their dogs' dangerous/menacing behaviors.
The Phillips family has retained attorneys with Fieger Law.
Shauntaye set up a GoFundMe to help with her husband's medical expenses.
"I don't wanna say funeral, but that's the road we are on so please if you can find it in your hearts to help our family we appreciate you all. Thank you for your help and consideration."
As of Saturday, Feb. 3, the crowdfunding page has raised $40,254 out of its $100,000 goal. You can visit Harold's GoFundMe page here.