Woman, 23, Mauled to Death by 3 Dogs While Pet Sitting Months Before College Graduation

A young woman, who was just months away from her college graduation, was mauled to death by three dogs while pet sitting in Texas.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, Jennifer Hubbell created a GoFundMe page, confirming the death of her daughter, whom she identified as Madison Riley Hull.

“I am shattered in a way I didn't know a human being could break. My beautiful, full of love, full of life, free-spirited daughter was killed in a sudden and vicious dog attack,” Hubbell wrote. 

The dogs involved in the attack were pit bulls, the Tyler Morning Telegraph, WFAA-8 and WTOC-11 reported, citing the Smith County Sheriff’s Office. The incident happened at a home in Tyler, Texas at around 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, officials said.

PEOPLE reached out to the Smith County Sheriff's Office for comment.

Hull was six months away from earning her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas at Tyler, her mother said. According to Hubbell, the college student “had already found her true purpose in teaching young children” and had “K-3rd grade students [who] adored her.”

Photos included in the GoFundMe post showed Hull smiling while spending time with loved ones. One photo showed the 23-year-old making a funny face as she rested her arm around a kid at a restaurant table. 

“Madi was love, she was light, she was kindness, she was laughter, she was fierce in the most beautiful and disarming way. She loved life with her whole heart and moved through the world with a free-spirit that lifted those around her,” Hubbell said.

Deputies were called to the Tyler home, where they found Hull lying in the backyard. When one of the responding officers attempted to help Hull, one of the pit bulls charged towards him, WTOC-11 reported.

The deputy then shot and killed one of the canines. His gunfire scared the two remaining dogs, allowing him to get Hull out of the backyard, however, she died shortly after, according to the news station. 

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The deputy who fired at the dog suffered minor injuries and was being treated at a local hospital, the sheriff's department said, per WFAA.

Judge Andy Dunklin is scheduled to give an update on the case during a court hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 26, according to the Tyler Morning Telegraph.

As of Tuesday, Nov. 25, the GoFundMe organized by Hull’s mother had raised more than $13,000. 

Hubbell thanked supporters for their donations, and said the proceeds will go toward Hull's funeral and memorial expenses, as well as giving Hull “the beautiful farewell her bright spirit deserves.”