Larry Kelley, a 69-year-old Beaver Creek Township man, was mauled by a pit bull while jogging.
Crawford County Sheriff Kirk A. Wakefield said Kelley was jogging on South Oak Road near his residence at 10:30 a.m. on Sat., June 6, when he was attacked by a male pit bull.
Kelley suffered significant injuries to his arms, legs, chest and face as a result of the attack. He was treated and later released from Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital.
Deputies said that the dog was not contained, charged out into the roadway and attacked Kelley as he jogged in front of the pit bull owner's residence.
The dog was quarantined at the AuSable Valley Animal Shelter.
Ephriam Johnson III, a Lapeer County resident, was the owner of the pit bull named "Hurk."
On Sept. 28, Johnson, 41, relinquished ownership and any claims to the pit bull. Johnson was arrested in Lapeer County for violating the state's sex offender registry regulations. Authorities learned that a warrant had been issued in Crawford County for Johnson's arrest for the incident involving the pit bull.
Sgt. Shon Chmielewski, from the Crawford County Sheriff's Office, said animal shelter staff had to take special precautions just to feed the pit bull and make sure it had no access to other animal's in the shelter's care.
"They could hardly get near him because he was so vicious," Chmielewski said.
Gail Foguth, the Crawford County Animal Control Officer, transferred the dog to the veterinary clinic, where it was euthanized.
The disposition of the case was included in the animal control report given to the Crawford County Board of Commissioner's law enforcement committee at its Dec. 10 meeting.
According to Crawford County District Court records, legal action is still pending against Rebecca Jane Flaherty, who resided at the home where the pit bull was kept.
Flaherty, 30, was charged for dangerous animal causing serious injury, a four-year felony and a $2,000 fine. She did not show up for a court hearing on July 21, and a bench warrant was issued for her arrest.
Flaherty also did not respond to a number of legal notices, seeking information on why "Hurk" should not be euthanized.
(Crawford county avalanche - Dec 24, 2015)
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