Officer knocked down by pitbull dies

Plainfield (WTNH) - An animal control officer knocked down by a pitbull that was threatening a family in Plainfield has died. Some are saying her death was not related to that incident.

There is no official word right now as to how Terry Foss died but her death does come after she was hospitalized for that dog attack.

Whatever the cause, her loss is being felt by many in town.

For 17 years, Terry Foss was Plainfield's animal control officer, a woman dedicated to her job.

"Oh, she loved animals, she loved what she did. She was a good colleague, we could count on her to do the right thing," Chief Robert Hoffman, of Plainfield police, said.

We talked to Foss back in 2005 after dogs in town were attacked by rabid skunks.

"The skunks actually were attacking the dogs. They actually were trying to bite them," Foss said.

On Sept. 29, Foss responded to a call about an aggressive pit bull at this home on Green Hollow Road. Witnesses say Foss was standing next to her vehicle when she was knocked down by the dog hitting her head. She was airlifted to Yale-New Haven hospital where she died Thursday.

"Is there a connection with what happened last week to her death? That will be left to the doctor's to determine exactly what the cause of death is and what mechanism caused that if anything," Hoffman said.

However, it's been reported the funeral director handling Foss's arrangements was told by the family her death was not related to the attack.

The exact cause of Foss's death may not have been made public yet but really the main concern for this police department is how it will properly honor her as a dedicated public servant, a wife, a mother of three.

"Many of us are very sad. We're today making arrangements to help the family say good-bye to Terry," Hoffman said.

Back at the Plainfield pound her chair remains empty underneath recognitions for her work.

"It's a big loss it's a 17 year hole left in the department. It's going to be hard shoes to fill," Hoffman said.

The dog involved in the attack was killed by its owner after he found out about that attack.

Funeral arrangements for Foss are being finalized now. Terry Foss was 47.