Family of woman killed in dog attack says it was not suicide

PORT HURON, Mich. (WJBK) - Rebecca Hardy died after being attacked by dogs last Thursday in Port Huron.

On Wednesday the Oakland County Medical Examiner deemed her death a suicide - and that's not sitting well with her family.

"She was very outgoing," said mother Terressa Engel. "(A lot of people) would tell her things they wouldn't tell anyone else. She was a very good friend. Happy to be around, never complained."

As if coming to terms with her daughter's death wasn't enough, Engel now has to wrap her head around authorities' assertion that 22-year-old Rebecca Hardy killed herself

"I just don't understand how being mauled to death is suicide," Engel said. "They must have a new term for suicide."

Engel lives in Port Austin which is in the state's thumb region. FOX 2 spoke with her by phone.

The Oakland County Medical Examiner says Hardy was trying to commit suicide when she climbed over a fence into a backyard, knowing there was a pit bull and husky mix on the other side.

They attacked her and inflicted severe injuries to her neck and face. Hardy died at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak.

The medical examiner says Hardy had tried to commit suicide before.

FOX 2: "Were there any indications that she may have been depressed?"

"No she had a 1-year-old daughter, her sisters loved her," Engel said. "We talked to her the day before and she was talking about coming up next week."

Port Huron police say the investigation isn't over. Officers put the dogs down after the attack and the city is now considering changing its dog ordinance.

Detroit is being urged to do the same after pit bulls mauled 4-year-old Xavier Strickland to death earlier the same week.

Rebecca Hardy was engaged to be married. She and her fiance had an 18-month-old daughter and were thinking about having another child.

Their dreams of living happily ever after dashed and authorities say it was Hardy's doing.

It is unclear if the dog's owner will face charges. Loved ones set up a GoFundMe account called the Rebecca Hardy Memorial Fund. CLICK HERE to donate.