Dog Involved in Fatal Attack In NC Had Been Declared Nuisance

NORTH CAROLINA --  One woman is dead and another is seriously injured after a pit bull viciously attacked them Monday evening in Davie County.

Cathy Wheatcraft had just gotten her mail and was walking back to her house when Davie County deputies say the dog attacked her.

"He got her down and she apparently tried to get away but was unable to do so and he drug her down in the yard and fatally bit her," said Sheriff Andy Stokes, Davie County Sheriff's Office.

Cathy Wheatcraft

A neighbor called 911 and after hearing about the call for help, Sheena Truesdale rushed outside to see what was going on. Truesdale knew the dog crouched over Wheatcraft and tried to get him away.

"The second time I said 'Patches go home,' he didn't like that. Patch growled and charged me, caught me in my shoulder and that's what made me fall to the ground. We were fighting and then he caught my inner thigh," said Truesdale.

Sheena Truesdale

The dog also tore its teeth through her forearm. She was able to get away and tried to get into a nearby car for shelter, but she says Patches wouldn't let up.

"Once I got in the car and tried to shut the door he grabs me on the arm again," said Truesdale.
The dog had its teeth clenched around Truesdale's arm, trying to pull her out of the car when a Cooleemee Police Officer showed up.

"If it wasn't for that police man who showed up, [Patches] would've got me out of the car my arm would've been much worse and I would probably be dead myself," said Truesdale.

Sergeant Brent Cranford shot the dog. He says the dog ran back to where Wheatcraft's body was and then tried to attack him. Sergeant Cranford shot the dog twice more, killing the animal.

Patches was declared a nuisance by animal control just a few months ago, ironically, after attacking Truesdale's dog. The owners were required to keep the dog under their control at all times. Deputies say the dog was outside on it's own after escaping through a window.

The DA will determine if the owner is charged but Sheriff Stokes says this just seems to be a horrible accident. Officers are still investigating the incident at this time.

It's not a "horrible accident". This was a ticking time bomb. It was just a matter of time before the dog got loose and did what it was created to do: maul and kill.

Truesdale has dozens of stitches and has to see a plastic surgeon next week. She has three pit bulls herself and even after being attacked, she says she still does not think pit bulls are aggressive dogs.

(WFMY - Aug 25, 2015)