Woman's Dog Killed in Pit Bull Attack at Miami-Dade Animal Services

Emily Mirabal's Dachshund, Toby, was mauled and killed by an out-of-control pit bull at the Doral facility.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 7:23pm

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A pet owner is speaking out after a trip to vaccinate her dog ended in tragedy. Emily Mirabal took her Dachshund, Toby, and another dog to the Miami-Dade Animal Services facility in Doral to get vaccinated. While waiting, an unleashed pit bull ran out of its play area and attacked Toby, mauling and killing the 6-year-old dog. Mirabal says no one at the facility knew how to respond to the emergency situation.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the need for better safety protocols and emergency response procedures at animal shelters and vaccination clinics. Pet owners should be able to trust that their animals will be safe when visiting such facilities, and this tragic event raises concerns about the facility's ability to properly handle aggressive animals and respond to emergencies.

The details

According to Mirabal, the pit bull, which weighed over 70 pounds, ran out of its play area and charged at her Dachshund, Toby. Mirabal says the dog "mauled my little dog, right in front of me" and that "no one there knew what to do." She pleaded with employees to save Toby, but they told her they "don't do that here" and could only send her somewhere else. Mirabal rushed Toby to a nearby vet, but the dog was pronounced dead on arrival.

  • The incident occurred on Saturday, January 25, 2026.
  • Mirabal took Toby and her other dog, Gator, to the Miami-Dade Animal Services facility in Doral to get vaccinated.

The players

Emily Mirabal

The pet owner whose Dachshund, Toby, was killed in the pit bull attack at the Miami-Dade Animal Services facility.

Toby

Mirabal's 6-year-old Dachshund who was mauled and killed by the pit bull at the animal services facility.

Gator

Mirabal's other dog who was with her at the Miami-Dade Animal Services facility.

Miami-Dade Animal Services

The animal services facility in Doral, Florida where the tragic incident occurred.

Gabby Dominguez

A representative from Miami-Dade Animal Services who expressed condolences to Mirabal and acknowledged the need for better safety protocols and training for volunteers.

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What they’re saying

“It was very devastating. I'm furious with Miami-Dade Animal Services.”

— Emily Mirabal, Pet Owner

“A pit bull runs out of their play area. He mauled my little dog, right in front of me. Ready to kill.”

— Emily Mirabal, Pet Owner

“No one there knew what to do.”

— Emily Mirabal, Pet Owner

“They told me, 'We don't do that here. We can send you somewhere.'”

— Emily Mirabal, Pet Owner

“We're very, very sorry for her and the loss of her pet.”

— Gabby Dominguez, Miami-Dade Animal Services

What’s next

Mirabal has filed a police report and is considering taking legal action against Miami-Dade Animal Services. The facility has also stated that it is working to improve its safety protocols and volunteer training to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

The takeaway

This tragic event underscores the need for animal shelters and vaccination clinics to have robust emergency response plans and proper safety measures in place to protect both pets and their owners. The lack of preparedness and inadequate response from Miami-Dade Animal Services in this case is unacceptable and highlights the importance of prioritizing animal welfare and public safety at such facilities.