A woman in Colorado has been arrested following the death of her 76-year-old mother, LaVonne Hoff, which authorities have attributed to a dog attack. The incident occurred on February 3 in Colorado City, where deputies from the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an unconscious woman at a residence. Upon arrival, officers found LaVonne Hoff deceased, with multiple dogs roaming freely inside the home. Additionally, they discovered two dozen more dogs and seven birds kept in cages, according to local reports.
The sheriff’s office later confirmed that autopsy results determined Hoff’s death was caused by a dog attack. The elderly woman reportedly suffered from dementia and required constant care. During the investigation, authorities learned that her daughter, 47-year-old Jessica Hoff, had allegedly left her mother alone in the home while she went to Pueblo to run errands. During this time, the dogs inside the residence attacked LaVonne Hoff, leading to her death.
Following the discovery, a search warrant was issued for both the residence and a second property owned by Jessica Hoff in Colorado City. In total, deputies reported finding 54 dogs and seven birds between the two locations. Many of the animals were reportedly living in unsanitary conditions, and several were in poor health. The sheriff’s office collaborated with Animal Law Enforcement to remove the dogs and birds from the properties to ensure their safety and proper care.
Jessica Hoff was subsequently arrested on a warrant and charged with criminal negligence resulting in the death of an at-risk adult. Additionally, she faces 54 counts of aggravated cruelty to animals due to the condition in which the animals were found. Following her arrest, she was booked into the Pueblo County Jail. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to assess the circumstances leading to the fatal attack and the overall welfare of the seized animals.
