GEORGIA -- A Thomaston woman may be able to rest at least a little easier after being mauled by two dogs in August, and chased by the same two dogs in December. Following the second incident, one of the two dogs has been put down.
On August 5, 2012, Kendra Fagan was walking by a field on Kendall Drive when she was attacked by a white and black pit bull and a basset hound. She suffered two broken bones in her right leg, a dog bit to her buttocks, and her right lower ear was bitten off.
Animal Control seized the dogs. Their owner, Cheryl Walden, attended a hearing held by Animal Control, and said the dogs had gotten out of the house by accident. AC Director Smart Web said Fagan did not attend the hearing. The two dogs were both deemed vicious dogs, and by Georgia law, could not be kept in the same yard. Web said Walden’s mother, Cindy Brooks, took the pit bull home with her to Barnesville.
On Dec. 26, Fagan was walking to her aunt’s house near Walden’s home when the pit bull and basset hound appeared and began chasing her. This time, she was able to get back to her car and get inside before they reached her, and she called for assistance.
Upson County Sheriff’s Deputy James Hollis responded and took her statement. In his report, Hollis said when he approached the Walden home, the two dogs were loose in the yard and began barking and growling at him. He knocked on the door, but no one was at home. He called the report in to Animal Control.
Web said after talking to the deputy the next day, he went to the Walden home. Cheryl Walden said her mother had been sick and unable to care for the pit bull, so had brought it back. Web advised Walden that regardless of the circumstances, she was still in violation for having two vicious dogs in the same yard, and he confiscated the pit bull.
Web added that Mrs. Brooks came to Animal Control and after talking with her, she signed the pit bull over to Animal Control. Web said the dog was put to sleep on Dec. 28.
(Thomaston Times - Jan 5, 2013)
