Detroit dog owners sentenced after fatal mauling of father of 6

Wife of dog attack victim speaks at sentencing

The wife of a man who was mauled to death in Detroit in early 2024 spoke at the sentencing for the owners of the dogs involved in the attack.

(FOX 2) - The owners of the three dogs that mauled a Detroit father of six to death were sentenced on Friday, with the male defendant receiving prison time while his wife was given probation.

Roy Goodman will serve between 30 months and 15 years in prison for the death of Harold Phillips, who was attacked by the man's dogs in Detroit in January of last year.

Trevina Goodman received three years probation that included conditions of community service and no possession of animals.

Roy Goodman admitted to letting the dogs out into the yard on the day Phillips was killed. He also told police he was aware the latch on the fence was broken, which is how they escaped.

The assault took place in January of last year in the area of West Chicago and Longacre after the dogs escaped through an unsecured gate.

Roy and Trevina Goodman in court.

Phillips was placed on life support after the mauling. He was returning from a visit to the mall where he was buying clothes for an upcoming job interview on Jan. 29.

He died on Feb. 2.

Speaking during the sentencing, Shauntaye Phillips, Harold's wife, told the judge she has wept everyday since her husband died.

"I never imagined having to watch him die so tragically - I'm just trying to do the best I can for my kids now, because it's so hard to grow without a parent," she said.

She also read statements from some of the Phillips' children.

Also speaking was Roxanne Clark, the victim's child's godmother, who recalled the day she drove the children to the hospital to say goodbye to their dad.

"I could hear their fear," she told the courtroom as she recalled describing the injuries to Harold Phillips. "Being a dog owner holds just as much responsibility as being a parent."