Barbara Brewington, a 38-year-old dental assistant from Sampson County, North Carolina, was fatally mauled by a stray mixed-breed dog on November 23, 2025, while protecting her own smaller pet dog in her yard on North Peavine Road near Bonnetsville.​
Incident Details
Deputies responded around 6:25 p.m. and found Brewington with severe injuries; first responders attempted aid, but she died at the scene. Sheriff Jimmy Thornton reported that Brewington had been caring for the stray since May or late July and was home alone when her pet escaped, prompting her to intervene as the stray turned aggressive. She successfully got her smaller dog inside before succumbing to the attack.​
Aftermath and Victim Background
The stray dog, described as a pit bull mix in some accounts, was euthanized on site by deputies after animal control arrived. Brewington, married with three children, worked since 2017 at Village Family Dental in Eastover and Fayetteville, where colleagues noted she would be deeply missed. Her sister described her on a GoFundMe as a loving mother and source of joy, with the fundraiser aimed at supporting her children’s legacy.
