A tragic dog attack has claimed the life of 15-year-old Makayla Fortner, a compassionate teen from Alexander, Arkansas, who was trying to feed and care for a large group of neglected dogs.

Makayla was killed on Wednesday while on a property about 17 miles outside Little Rock. She and her mother, Stephanie Wilkie, had been trying to help the estimated 30 to 40 starving dogs that lived there in poor conditions, according to KATV. The dogs had reportedly been neglected by their owners, and the family was hoping to rescue them.

Neighbor Ralph Murphy said he witnessed a Saline County sheriff’s deputy arrive at the scene and fire his gun into the ground to scare the dogs away from the fence. “The dogs ran when he shot, and then he walked over, looked down, and turned back around. That’s when I saw the body on the ground,” Murphy said.

Neighbors say they had been reporting the growing danger for months. Residents told officials the dogs would often run loose and act aggressively, but county authorities claimed they had no animal control services and couldn’t take action.

“The dogs were so vicious, nobody felt safe letting their kids walk to the bus stop,” said neighbor Heidi Clay. She described the residents of the property as having moved in with dozens of dogs and numerous broken-down vehicles, creating a serious nuisance and safety issue.

Following the fatal mauling, Benton city officials removed 14 dogs from the property and had them euthanized. Four other dogs found locked inside the house were left on-site. The Saline County Sheriff’s Office, along with Benton Animal Control, is investigating.

Makayla was a student at Bryant Public Schools and is being remembered as a kind, loving girl. A GoFundMe created in her honor describes her as “a beautiful, bright girl with the kindest soul,” adding, “Her smile could light up a room, and her laughter made everyone feel welcome.”