Wayne County woman suffers 'drastic' injuries after dog attack

NORTH CAROLINA -- A 71-year-old woman watering plants outside her home was seriously injured after being attacked by four dogs Wednesday morning, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said.


Authorities received a 911 call around 6:45 a.m. from someone reporting that an animal or object was under attack on Country Run Lane near Goldsboro. It took a second 911 call for authorities to determine the animals were attacking Mildred Game.

 

Animal control officers, sheriff’s deputies and emergency crews responded to Game’s home, where a deputy shot one of the animals – which a Wayne County spokeswoman described as being pit bulls – after it charged at him, Maj. Tom Effler said.

The three other dogs were impounded, Effler said.

Game’s pit bull, Diamond, which tried to protect her, also suffered injuries and had to be euthanized, her son, Bobby Game said.

Mildred Game was being treated Wednesday evening at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville.
Bobby Game described his mother's wounds as “drastic.”

"The puncture wounds and gashes are way into the hundreds," he said, adding that his mother was attacked from behind.

Six chunks of flesh were missing from her body, and he said his mother suffered teeth marks all over her arms and legs.

"It makes me ill that they can't control their dogs or train their dogs the right way," Bobby Game said.

The dogs’ owner, Terry Butler, lives next door to Mildred Game and said he was shocked to hear what his dogs did.

“I just want to tell Mrs. Mildred that I am sorry for what happened, and whatever I can do to make it right – I mean, there is nothing I can do,” Butler said.

Neighbors say they have been concerned about Butler's dogs, and one said they thought it was just a matter of time before someone was hurt.

"I guess he attempts to keep them penned up, but they come out of the gate anytime they want to, they act vicious," said neighbor William Johnson, who also said one of his dogs was killed by Butler's dogs.

Butler said he doesn't know why his dogs attacked Mildred Game.

"My dogs are puppies, I can't say what caused the attack, what made the dogs become like they became," he said. "None of my dogs are vicious."

Authorities say the case is under investigation and could not say if charges will be filed.

For now, Bobby Game is worried about his mother's health - and the cost of her recovery.

"She is not a wealthy woman that can pay for what she is fixing to have," he said. "And (the medical bills) are stacking up. They are stacking up as we talk."

(WRAL.com - June 25, 2014)