Editor’s note: Photos of Madison were used with permission from her mother Jennifer Hubbell. A GoFundMe has been created for funeral expenses, which can be found here.
A UT Tyler student was killed in what authorities described as a “vicious attack” by three dogs in Smith County.
Madison Riley Hull was killed in a dog attack while dog-sitting on Nov. 21, 2025. She was six months away from graduating from UT Tyler with her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. According to a statement from Smith County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), Madison Riley Hull, 23, of Tyler was found lying in the backyard of a home on Northwood Drive in Tyler on Nov. 21 at 4:15 p.m. She had been attacked by three pit bull dogs.
SCSO said as a deputy attempted to retrieve Madison, one of the dogs ran toward him. The deputy shot and killed one of the dogs, causing the others to run away.
The deputy was able to remove Madison from the backyard, who had died due to her injuries from the attack.
Smith County authorities indicated Hull was dog-sitting for the dogs’ owners, who were out of town. Smith County Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 has ordered the two remaining dogs to be humanely destroyed.
Madison was six months away from earning her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and had found purpose in teaching young children.
“Her K-3rd grade students adored her,” Madison’s mother Jennifer Hubbell said. “She had a gift for making every child feel safe, special, and loved. Madison’s heart was made for that work.”
Hubbell described Madison as a loving woman and a free spirit.
“I am shattered in a way I didn’t know a human being could break,” Hubbell said. “My beautiful, full of love, full of life, free-spirited daughter was killed in a sudden and vicious dog attack. Madi was love, she was light, she was kindness, she was laughter, she was fierce in the most beautiful and disarming way. She loved life with her whole heart and moved through the world with a free-spirit that lifted those around her.”
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