Cowan was attacked while walking near her home on Blue Bonnet Drive in Cocoa
The two dogs involved in a deadly attack that killed Jodi Cowan of Cocoa earlier this week are now in the custody of Brevard County Animal Control as they work to determine whether criminal charges could be filed under Florida’s strengthened dangerous dog laws. (Dominica Midkiff image)
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA, FLORIDA — The two dogs involved in a deadly attack that killed Jodi Cowan of Cocoa earlier this week are now in the custody of Brevard County Animal Control as they work to determine whether criminal charges could be filed under Florida’s strengthened dangerous dog laws.
Cowan was attacked Tuesday morning while walking near her home on Blue Bonnet Drive in Cocoa.
According to residents in the neighborhood, Cowan was walking her small dog when two larger dogs chased and mauled her.
Security video from the area captured portions of the attack before emergency crews arrived. Cowan was transported to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Neighbors said the dogs had a long history of aggressive behavior and that repeated complaints had been made to both animal control officials and the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office before the fatal incident.
According to reports, several residents said the dogs were often left unattended outside the owner’s home and regularly roamed the neighborhood.
One woman said she was trapped in her vehicle for 30 minutes while the dogs circled it.
Another resident said he recently purchased pepper spray out of fear for his safety and had contacted Brevard animal control twice over the last month about the dogs.
Jodi Cowan was attacked Tuesday morning while walking near her home on Blue Bonnet Drive in Cocoa. According to residents in the neighborhood, Cowan was walking her small dog when two larger dogs chased and mauled her.
Brevard County Animal Control officials have not publicly identified the dogs’ owner, and no charges have been announced while investigators examine whether Florida’s updated dangerous dog laws could apply.
Under the revised law, dog owners can face felony charges if investigators determine they knowingly failed to restrain or secure a dog with a documented history of aggression.
Animal Control investigators are now reviewing whether previous reports or documented complaints about the Cocoa dogs exist and whether those records could support criminal prosecution.
Meanwhile, Cowan’s family described her death as devastating and heartbreaking.
Relatives said funeral services will be held in Florida before she is laid to rest in North Carolina.
Brevard County Animal Control investigators are continuing to examine whether the dogs involved in the Cocoa attack had prior records of aggression that could support criminal charges against the owner.
