Rottweiler euthanized after attack on Albertville woman, hospitalized victim in 'fair' condition

ALABAMA -- A Rottweiler was euthanized Tuesday after a woman was hospitalized following an attack, according to Sheriff Scott Walls.

Donna Copeland, 53, of Albertville was airlifted to Huntsville Hospital after being bitten several times after the dog escaped its owner's grasp, Walls said. Copeland was in fair condition this morning, a Huntsville Hospital spokeswoman said.

Marshall County Sheriff's Office spokesman Heath Thomas said the dog's owner, Karen Baird, requested the dog be euthanized following the attack. It was taken to Guntersville Animal Control and put to sleep later Tuesday afternoon, he said.

Tests will be done on the dog's remains to see if it had a condition that contributed to the attack, Thomas said.

"We're still looking into that. We're looking into the history of the dog," he said. "It appears (Baird) was taking every effort to have the dog restrained but it just broke loose."

Thomas said the dog was on a leash and being loaded into the owner's car near 440 Turnpike Road.

"During that time, the dog lunged towards Copeland and was able to escape the grasp of the owner and attacked Copeland. She received multiple bites to her arm," Thomas said.

(blogAL.com - Oct 16, 2013)