Pit bull kills woman working at a pet hotel in West Monroe

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office says that a woman was killed on the job when a pit bull attacked her late Tuesday night.

Friends and family identified the victim as Laura Williams Ray. Ray worked at Happy Hound Hotel on Smith Street just outside West Monroe. Investigators say she was caring for animals staying overnight when she was attacked by the 50 pound dog.

The dog was being boarded at the Happy Hound Hotel for the first time, according to the hotel's owner. They believe Ray was trying to feed the dog when it attacked her, but don't know why it lashed out so violently. The hotel's owner told us that the pit bull's owner signed papers saying the dog was not aggressive. And, like in many cases of dog attacks, the owner said their pet had never done anything like this before.

The name of the dog's owner was not disclosed, but it is now with the Ouachita Parish Animal Shelter.

The pet hotel is just south of West Monroe, in the Brownsville area. Since Happy Hound Hotel is outside West Monroe, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating.

Family members provided us with Laura's name and a photo, but have asked the media to give them time to grieve and cope with Laura's death. KNOE will respect those wishes and has ceased contact with the family. We have invited them to talk to us when they are ready.

Laura Ray's identity was released publically on social media by friends and family and other media outlets prior to this story going online.

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