Police are examining whether activity from contractors inside a Lewiston home contributed to the dog’s reaction before its owner was killed.
LEWISTON, N.Y. — Investigators say a 6-year-old St. Bernard may have been startled before it fatally attacked its owner inside a Niagara County home, although authorities have not determined exactly what caused the dog to turn on the 60-year-old woman.
Lisa K. Bundy died Monday after suffering a severe neck injury at her home on Saunders Settlement Road. Lewiston police said officers responded at about 9:15 a.m. and found her unconscious and not breathing. Officers and emergency medical personnel attempted to save her, but she died at the residence.
The circumstances immediately before the attack have become a central part of the investigation. Police said Bundy’s husband was in a bedroom with the family dog while contractors were working elsewhere inside the home. The bedroom door had been closed before Bundy entered the room.
Bundy’s husband told investigators there was some type of interaction between his wife and the dog after she entered. He said he believed the St. Bernard became startled, which may have triggered the attack. Police Chief Michael Salada also said the presence of unfamiliar workers in the house was being considered as a possible factor.
Authorities have stopped short of declaring that explanation conclusive. No publicly released evidence establishes precisely why the dog attacked, and investigators have not announced that the animal had a prior history of aggression. The distinction leaves the immediate trigger as one of the main unanswered questions in the case.
After the attack, Bundy’s husband tried to help her and called 911. Police said responding officers found a neck injury consistent with a dog bite and began lifesaving efforts before emergency medical personnel arrived. Police later said the scene was processed and that no foul play was suspected.
The dog was taken from the home and turned over to the Niagara County SPCA. Local reports said it was expected to be euthanized following the fatal attack. Authorities have not publicly provided additional details about the animal’s prior veterinary or behavioral history.
Amy Lewis of the Niagara County SPCA told WBEN after the incident that large working breeds can require substantial training and mental as well as physical activity. Her comments addressed the broader challenges of managing powerful dogs and did not establish what caused this particular St. Bernard to attack Bundy.
The case was initially reported Monday without Bundy’s identity. Police later named her and provided more information about the events inside the house. What remains unresolved is why a family dog that was inside a closed bedroom reacted violently when Bundy entered.
Police have announced no criminal charges and say they do not suspect foul play. The St. Bernard was placed in animal-control custody, while investigators’ public account continues to describe the possible startle response as a theory rather than a confirmed cause of the fatal attack.
Author note: Last updated November 11, 2026.