ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities are investigating the death of a 61-year-old woman found unresponsive on a residential property Thursday evening, with preliminary information indicating the incident may have involved dogs at the scene.
Deputies responded around 7:02 p.m. on March 19, 2026, to the 10000 block of Northwest County Road 235 for a reported medical emergency. Upon arrival, first responders located the woman lying on the ground near a gate on the property, close to a fenced area where two dogs had been secured.
Officials said the woman had lacerations on her arm that appeared consistent with injuries caused by a dog. Alachua County Fire Rescue pronounced her dead at approximately 7:10 p.m.
Investigators said the woman was a visiting family member who had been babysitting a young child at the residence. Family members returning to the property discovered her unresponsive in the yard, with the child nearby. The child was not injured.
Authorities said the incident may have involved two bulldogs belonging to residents of the property. Alachua County Animal Resources responded and took custody of the animals.
Detectives with the Alachua Police Department, along with representatives from the Medical Examiner’s Office, processed the scene and are continuing the investigation.
The cause of death has not been determined and is pending the results of an autopsy.