Woman, 65, is left brain dead after she was mauled by pitbulls belonging to her tenant who insists the dogs 'were not aggressive'

  • Melissa Barnes, 65, was doing yard work on Saturday at her home in Montana
  • Barnes was attacked by pit bull and pit bull mix belonging to one of her tenants
  • She was kept on life support at a hospital in Billings pending rabies tests
  • Wayne Bartlett, the dogs' owner, voluntarily euthanized the pets
  • Authorities say Bartlett is cooperating with the investigation
  • Bartlett says he doesn't know what led the 'well trained' dogs to attack Barnes 

By Associated Press and Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

A Montana woman is on life support Tuesday after she was mauled by two dogs belonging to one of her tenants over the weekend.

Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin said Monday that 65-year-old Melissa Barnes was doing yard work Saturday at a residence west of Bozeman when she was attacked, first by a pit bull, followed by a pit bull mix. 

The residence was owned by Barnes, and she rents out part of the property to numerous tenants, one of whom owned a number of dogs.

Barnes, who is an organ donor, was being kept on life support at a Billings hospital pending rabies tests on the dogs.

A Montana woman, Melissa Barnes (right), 65, is on life support Tuesday after she was mauled by two dogs belonging to her tenant over the weekend. She is seen in the above undated photo with a relative

A Montana woman, Melissa Barnes (right), 65, is on life support Tuesday after she was mauled by two dogs belonging to her tenant over the weekend. She is seen in the above undated photo with a relative

Barnes (right) was doing yard work Saturday at a residence west of Bozeman when she was attacked, first by a pit bull, followed by a pit bull mix

Barnes (right) was doing yard work Saturday at a residence west of Bozeman when she was attacked, first by a pit bull, followed by a pit bull mix

A pit bull and a pit bull mix (seen far left and second from left) belonging to a tenant who was renting property from Barnes mauled her on Saturday, leaving her brain dead

A pit bull and a pit bull mix (seen far left and second from left) belonging to a tenant who was renting property from Barnes mauled her on Saturday, leaving her brain dead

Wayne Bartlett, the dog's owners, says he cannot figure out why the well-trained canines, who showed no behavioral issues in years past, attacked his landlord

Wayne Bartlett, the dog's owners, says he cannot figure out why the well-trained canines, who showed no behavioral issues in years past, attacked his landlord

Bartlett voluntarily had the dogs euthanized and is said to be cooperating with the investigation

Bartlett voluntarily had the dogs euthanized and is said to be cooperating with the investigation

The dogs were not current on their vaccinations. 

Wayne Bartlett, the dogs' owners, voluntarily euthanized them.

Gootkin says the case is still under investigation, and no charges have yet been filed.

Bartlett says he cannot figure out why the well-trained canines, who showed no behavioral issues in years past, attacked his landlord.

'My dog Bain has lived here just as long, never really had a problem with him, they never showed aggression towards her or anybody else,' Bartlett says

'My dog Bain has lived here just as long, never really had a problem with him, they never showed aggression towards her or anybody else,' Bartlett says

'I do know Melissa, I've rented from her for six years,' Bartlett told KTVQ. 

'She's sweet, she's very hard working, she works day and night, she's always really kind to me. 

'My dog Bain has lived here just as long, never really had a problem with him, they never showed aggression towards her or anybody else. 

'I'm not sure exactly what could've happened.' 

Bartlett was not home at the time of the attack.

He said his niece was at the home with his girlfriend's two young children.

The children went outside without permission to talk to Barnes just before the attack happened.  

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