OWENS CROSS ROADS, Ala. (WHNT) — A woman has been charged in connection to a dog attack that killed a two-year-old in March.
According to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), 55-year-old Melissa Phillips was indicted for violating ‘Emily’s Law‘ and turned herself in on Thursday.
At the time of the incident, MCSO spokesperson Brent Patterson said a boy was at a neighbor’s house on T.R. Christian Road when they were attacked by a neighbor’s dog. MCSO responded alongside the New Hope Police Department (NHPD) and Owens Cross Roads Police Department (OXPD).
Madison County Coroner Tyler Berryhill said the child was a two-year-old boy, and he suffered fatal bite wounds during the attack.
When officers arrived, MCSO said they began administering life-saving measures to the child, who was later pronounced dead.
While investigating the attack, the sheriff’s office found two dogs at a neighbor’s home and the dogs were taken due to their “potential involvement in the attack.” A third dog that officials believed might have been involved in the attack was located down the road.
“The owner of the third dog surrendered their pet to law enforcement while the investigation continued. All three dogs suspected in the attack were surrendered by the owners and picked up by Madison County Animal Control,” MCSO said.
Authorities say they discovered that one of the three dogs had recently been involved in another dog attack in the area that NHPD had reported in January.
A forensic odontologist was able to collect bite impressions and rule out two of the initial dogs involvement in the boy’s death. All the dogs have been euthanized, according to the sheriff’s office.
Phillips was taken to the Madison County Jail Facility, and her bond was set at $15,000. MCSO said the investigation is ongoing and could result in additional charges.
Suggest a Correction
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
