Violations mount on Miami Gardens street where woman killed by dogs, records show
Stories of loose canines wandering the streets run rampant through a quiet Miami Gardens community where 71-year-old Doreen Richards Broadbelt lived for over a decade before being mauled to death by dogs on her morning walk to work on Labor Day.
Miami-Dade County Animal Services has said they haven’t been alerted to any issues of unruly, aggressive dogs traversing the area, but do the neighbors who provided recollections of their unnerving encounters ring true?
A Miami Herald search of county records reveals a burgeoning pattern that coincides with people’s angst, as a vast majority of the neighborhood’s homes have been issued violations for loose, unvaccinated and unregistered dogs. On the street where she died, nearly every home has received multiple citations from Animal Services.
In fact, hours after the attack on Broadbelt, an investigator cited two homes for a combination of 12 citations — one of which is directly across from where the mauling took place and home to some of the dogs suspected of killing Broadbelt.
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Andre Brown was given eight citations by Animal Services for violations, including failure to vaccinate the animal against rabies and failure to obtain a license tag. The dogs in question are listed to live at the same address as homeowner Eunice Thomas.
Thomas has also been cited four times since 2006 about her dogs. In January 2006 and February 2007, Miami-Dade County Animal Services inspectors cited her for letting her dogs run at large in the community.
She previously told the Herald she currently owns two of the dogs on the property, which Miami Gardens police later indicated were under investigation.
READ MORE: Police release photos of dogs suspected of mauling a Miami Gardens woman to death
Larry Brooks, who lives a block away from the attack, was also given four citations on the day of Broadbelt’s death for not having rabbies vaccines and unregistered dogs. It’s unclear if his dogs are also suspected of the mauling.
Brooks nor Brown responded to the Herald’s request for comment.
Of the nine homes on the street where Broadbelt was killed, six had been handed similar citations as Thomas, Brooks and Brown from 2014 to 2025. Some still have open cases.
An animal services spokesperson said if owners do not correct their citations, they may receive more and be sent to collections for payment.
However, since these violations do not specific mention “dangerous dogs,” a designation given to pets that bite or display violent traits, removal of a pet is not among the punishments, county laws show.
Violent, deadly dog attack
During the early morning hours of Labor Day, Broadbelt was walking to her job at Walmart just a little over a mile away — a walk she has done hundreds of times.
However, on this particular day, as she walked in front of Thomas’ home, she was attacked by a pack of dogs in a field next to a Miami Gardens elementary school. The exact number of dogs has still not been shared by police, but originally believed to be six, animal services said.
READ MORE: Deadly dog attack leaves Miami Gardens neighborhood grieving, demanding safety
A vigil was held outside Broadbelt’s home Tuesday, where dozens of family friends and coworkers celebrated her.
“When you show compassion, it comes back to you,” said Donovan Broadbelt, her husband. “[The vigil] is a reflection that she is a caring person and a people person.”
She was remembered as a hardworking and generous woman who consistently put others first. Every September and December, Broadbelt would stuff barrels with care packages, gifts and school supplies to send back to Jamaica, her original home.
What’s next?
Miami Gardens police nor Miami-Dade Animal Services have definitively said what dogs were involved or what owners could be held liable.
Authorities have DNA-swabbed at least four dogs to confirm if they were part of the mauling. It is unclear what will happen to the animals if they are found to be involved, but in numerous similar cases the dogs are euthanized.
READ MORE: Miami Gardens dog attack highlights dual problem of loose dogs, crowded shelters
Animal Services reiterated it has not received calls from the neighborhood pertaining to stray or unleashed dogs. Based on preliminary findings, it does not appear that stray dogs attacked Broadbelt.
The agency also noted its enforcement team has been patrolling the area since the mauling occurred. Police are asking residents to call 305-474-6473 to report sightings of stray or aggressive dogs.
As Broadbelt’s tragic death in early September has left a community reeling, it also served as a catalyst to reignite a countywide conversation about the dual problem of unleashed dogs and overcrowded animal shelters. Her loved ones say they hope her death will lead to a positive change.
“Let there be justice that will ensue from this situation, that it may not happen to someone else,” said Pastor Omar Williams of Miami Gardens church Pentecostal Tabernacle as he led a prayer at the vigil. “Let common sense laws and rules be passed, but also allow for a new sense of integrity to rise within the hearts of those who own pets and animals. [...] I pray that you will let good come forth from this that is tangible. That the family can have a certain sense of peace, that lady Doreen’s death was not in vain.”
Miami Herald reporter Amanda Rosa contributed to this report.
This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 8:05 AM.
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