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WATCH: Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey Delivers Special Message After Arrest Of Dog Owner Following Deadly Dog Attack

By  //  May 28, 2026

WARNING: Video contains graphic content Relating to the Deadly Dog Attack

ABOVE VIDEO: Special Message From Sheriff Wayne Ivey Regarding Arrest Of Dog Owner Following Deadly Dog Attack

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA –  Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey announced Wednesday that an arrest has been made in connection with a fatal dog attack that occurred last week near Cocoa.

According to Sheriff Ivey, 29-year-old Linda Cutler was taken into custody and charged with manslaughter following the May 19 attack that claimed the life of 50-year-old Jodi Cowan.

“Earlier today, with the assistance of our partners at the Melbourne Police Department, Linda Cutler was taken into custody for one count of manslaughter,” Ivey said in a statement posted on Facebook.

Investigators said Cowan was mauled by two mixed-breed dogs in the early morning hours just after midnight while walking her own small dog past the residence where the larger dogs lived.

According to Sheriff Ivey (left), 29-year-old Linda Cutler was taken into custody and charged with manslaughter following the May 19 attack that claimed the life of 50-year-old Jodi Cowan (right).

Sheriff Ivey said the dogs, identified as Max and Mako, are now set to be euthanized.

The sheriff also criticized Cutler following her arrest, saying she had been staying at a beachfront Hilton hotel at the time she was taken into custody.

“At the time of her arrest, Cutler was staying at the Hilton hotel on the beach, which, in my opinion, is absolutely disgusting, given that her inactions led to the horrific death of an innocent woman who was simply trying to walk her own dog in her neighborhood,” Ivey said.

According to Sheriff Ivey, 29-year-old Linda Cutler was taken into custody and charged with manslaughter following the May 19 attack that claimed the life of 50-year-old Jodi Cowan. (BCSO Image)

Ivey further alleged that Cutler pretended to suffer a medical emergency after being arrested.

“Oh, and to make matters worse, when she was taken into custody, she feigned having a heart attack and had to be, by policy, transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation,” Ivey said. “At the hospital, I’m guessing they determined she didn’t have a heart at all, because they released her to our custody.”

Cutler is scheduled to appear before a judge on Thursday.

The investigation remains ongoing.