A North Carolina mother of three died after a stray dog attacked her while she tried to shield her own small dog outside her Sampson County home on Nov. 23, authorities said. The victim, identified as 38-year-old Barbara Hunter Brewington, was found in the yard of her house on North Peavine Road, and the stray dog was put down at the scene, according to the sheriff.
Officials said the case remains an active investigation, but early findings point to a sudden struggle that began when Brewington’s pet slipped outside and the stray turned aggressive. Brewington had been caring for the stray since May, according to the sheriff. The attack occurred the weekend before Thanksgiving, drawing responses from deputies and animal control. Brewington’s death has prompted expressions of grief from co-workers and relatives and renewed attention in the county to how officers handle dangerous-animal calls. Authorities said there is no ongoing threat to the public and that the dog’s remains would undergo routine testing.
Deputies were called to the North Peavine Road address on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 23. Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said Brewington stepped in when the stray went after her smaller dog. “She was trying to separate the stray dog from her pet,” Thornton said, adding the animal “got overly aggressive and attacked her.” Thornton said Brewington managed to get her dog back inside but collapsed in the yard from her injuries. She was home alone at the time of the attack. First responders located the stray on the property and euthanized it. The exact time of the first call to 911 was not released. Investigators marked off the yard and front steps while they interviewed neighbors and documented the scene.
Authorities have not publicly identified the dog’s breed, describing it only as a mixed breed. The sheriff’s office said evidence showed Brewington was “viciously attacked.” Deputies indicated the animal would be sent for rabies testing, a standard step after a fatal mauling. Officials also said there was no wider public danger after the euthanasia, and no other aggressive animals were reported in the area that day. Brewington’s employer, Village Family Dental, said she worked as a dental assistant in the Eastover and Fayetteville offices and would be “deeply missed.” Her sister wrote that Brewington was “a ray of sunshine on a rainy day,” noting that she leaves behind her husband, Bradley, and three children. No other injuries were reported.
Brewington had started feeding and caring for the stray in May, the sheriff said. The home sits along a rural stretch near Bonnetsville, a small community north of Clinton in Sampson County. Records show deputies have handled dog-related calls in the region ranging from loose pets to bite investigations, though fatal attacks remain rare. The attack occurred two days before many area offices reduced hours for the holiday week, which officials said can slow the pace of obtaining laboratory results. As of Wednesday, authorities had not released autopsy findings or a finalized timeline beyond the Sunday discovery of the victim in her yard.
Investigators said the dog was euthanized on site and will be tested for rabies at a state lab in Raleigh. The sheriff’s office has not announced any criminal charges. In fatal animal attacks without an owner on scene, cases typically focus on cause of death, whether any prior complaints were filed about the animal, and whether other animals pose a risk nearby. Officials said updates would be provided after test results and the medical examiner’s report are complete. Any public statements from animal control are expected to outline how the stray was first reported and what steps, if any, were taken before the weekend incident.
Co-workers at the dental practice described Brewington as warm and steady with patients. “Her presence made our offices brighter every day,” the practice said in a statement. Relatives have shared photos and remembrances online, calling her a devoted mother who loved family gatherings. A roadside cluster of flowers and notes began to appear near the home’s mailbox this week, neighbors said, along with a small chew toy left by someone who knew her pet. The sheriff’s office said it appreciates the community’s patience while detectives complete interviews and await lab work.
As of Wednesday, authorities maintained there was no ongoing threat in the neighborhood. The next expected update is tied to routine testing and the medical examiner’s review, which officials said could clarify the precise sequence of injuries. Any additional public information will be released by the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office. Brewington’s workplace said counseling resources were being offered to staff. Funeral arrangements were not immediately available through law enforcement, though relatives have shared plans privately.