Police say the dog — a terrier mix weighing about 40 pounds — was one of at least 11 being kept at the house, which was condemned Thursday afternoon after the shooting. A foul odor emanating from the house could be detected from the street.
Two 911 calls were received at 12:05 p.m. and 12:10 p.m., respectively. The first call was disconnected, but on the second call, the victim told the dispatchers she was being attacked by a dog. Barking dogs could be heard in the background, said Officer Nicole Gamard, a county police spokeswoman.
The victim could not provide a precise house number — later determined to be 4304 Garrett Park Road; none was posted on the outside of the house. Information from cellphone towers indicated the block of the street where the call originated.
Officers who arrived on the scene identified the house by asking neighbors if they’d heard anything and listening for sounds of the incident. Neighbors reported hearing screams, Gamard said.
When they entered the house at about 12:33 p.m., officers found the 54-year-old victim being attacked. When they tried to help, the dog turned on the police, and Officer Kevin Correa fired a single shot, killing the dog, Gamard said.
Correa is a four-year veteran of the department; Officers Sherry Law and David Schramm — who have served for 13 years and less than one year, respectively — also responded to the call, Gamard said.
The victim was taken to a local hospital and treated for injuries to her face, chest and head. The injuries weren’t considered life-threatening, Gamard said.
It appeared that at least 10 other dogs — mixed-breed terriers and pit bull terriers — were being kept at the house, in kennels, Gamard said. The dogs were removed by county police animal services officers Thursday afternoon and taken to the county animal shelter in Derwood.
The victim was housesitting for the owners of the house, whom police were attempting to contact, Gamard said. The victim was a relative, she said.
The animal service’s division is conducting an investigation into the owners of the house, Gamard said Friday.
Police confirmed that the house is owned by William E. and Dona Dwyer. Attempts to reach them Thursday afternoon and Friday were unsuccessful.
(GazetteNet - Oct. 17, 2014)
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