FORT PIERCE, Fla. — The female volunteer at the Humane Society of St. Lucie County who was found dead inside a fenced play area next to the shelter Thursday died of severe blood loss due to dog bites, according to the St. Lucie County Medical Examiner's Office.
It ruled the death accidental.
The Human Society of St. Lucie County has identified the woman as Christine Liquori.
"The dogs here have lost a dear dear friend and we’ve lost a dear dear friend and wonderful volunteer. Whatever needs to be done for those dogs, Christine was there for it whether it was walking them, bathing them, playing with them, loving on them, taking their picture," Humane Society of St. Lucie County Executive Director David Robertson said Friday before the medical examiner revealed its results.
He said a mixed-breed dog was with Liquori at the time and had no prior issues. The dog had been at the shelter for about 8 days prior to the incident.
"The dogs and all of us here are really going to miss her and we want to extend our deepest and sincerest sympathies to all of her families," Robertson said.
The dog was set to be euthanized Friday.
Liquori was a member of Paws Fur Recovery, a non-profit organization made up of people in recovery that volunteer to find homes for dogs in shelters.
You could say Liquori saved dogs every day because they saved her.
“She’s just coming up on what would have been, coming up 6 years clean and sober on May 23rd,” said Lori Boettger, President of Paws Fur Recovery.
Shortly after starting her journey to recovery from addiction, Liquori joined Paws Fur Recovery.
“She loved loved loved what she did and she died doing what she loved,” said Boettger.
Robertson said Liquori was in the fenced play area with a dog alone on Thursday. It’s not clear why there was no one else with her. He said she was found dead.
Another volunteer for Paws Fur Recovery and close friend of Liquori’s said she started her journey to recovery from addiction with Liquori 6 years ago and got involved with Paws Fur Recovery because of Liquori.
“I feel like this is an isolated issue. It’s not something we’ve encountered so you know it’s sad. I will continue to be going out to the shelter to help these dogs because I’ve had a second chance and they deserve one too,” said Sandy Robieous, Paws Fur Recovery volunteer.
Paws Fur Recovery is collecting money to help Liquori's daughter and family with funeral expenses.
