Posted on May 23, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Owner Charged After Dogs Contribute to Man's Death in Chesterfield County, South Carolina

Scottie Brigman, 34, was found dead covered in bite marks with four pit bulls nearby.

Dog Owner Charged
UPDATE 07/18/22: A Chesterfield County man is now facing serious charges after a man was found dead after a dog attack. Chantell Ross, 47, faces one count of involuntary manslaughter and three counts of vicious unleashed animals in connection to the death of Scottie Brigman. His body was discovered in the middle of a dirt road off Bailey Saw Mill Road on May 14 covered in bite marks. Brigman was surrounded by four pit bulls that deputies say contributed to his death.

05/23/22: Man Dead, Covered in Bite Marks
Chesterfield County, SC - Earlier today, the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office reported that on May 14, deputies responded to a dirt road off of Bailey Saw Mill Road in the Ruby area, after a report of a man lying in the road. As deputies were traveling down the road, they observed several dogs in the area. "When deputies arrived on the scene, they found a deceased, white male with his clothing shredded, and bite marks," states a press release by the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office.

"Coroner Kip Kiser identified the male as Scottie Brigman, 34 years of age. Brigman has been sent for an autopsy and we are awaiting the results. Four dogs have been taken from the area and are being sent for dental impressions," states the release. Of the four pit bulls; one was a stray and three belonged to a local resident. "Once we got a manner of death, we could take it to the solicitor and seek charges against the owner of those three pit bull dogs," Capt. Wayne Jordan said.

When some of our patrol units arrived they did see the dogs on scene waiting around the body. They had to basically shoo the dogs away. - Capt. Wayne Jordan, Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office

According to Traci Smith, who lives in the area, this is not the first attack by these dogs. Last month, when she was riding her horse down that same dirt road, the dogs attacked her horse. “They were biting my horse from the front, from the back, all directions," Smith told WSOC-TV in a telephone call. "And [my horse] was freaking out like you would expect him to do. He was jumping in the air, bucking, trying to run away but they were surrounding him and he couldn’t get away,” she said.

Fatal pit bull attack chesterfield county

Horse owner Traci Smith believes the same pack of dogs attacked her horse last month.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: South Carolina Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

Baseline reporting requirements:
Law enforcement departments across the United States should release consistent "baseline" information to the media and the public after each fatal dog mauling, including these items.

Posted on May 14, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2021 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bull Owner Charged with Manslaughter After Multiple Attacks in Oklahoma

State of Oklahoma v. Morrow, Rise Jo (CF-2022-131)

Rise Morrow is charged with manslaughter in the 2nd degree, "Owner of a Dog that Kills."

Man Died After Bite Injuries
Claremore, OK - On May 9, reporter Lori Fullbright of Tulsa-based KOTV, published part of a charging document on her Facebook page. Otherwise, we have seen no other news reports about these charges or the multiple victims involved. Rise Jo Morrow (also known as Risa), who is in her 60s, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, "Owner of a Dog that Kills," on March 25, 2022. She was ordered to return to court on April 25th, but instead, Morrow failed to appear.

The date of the offense is November 26, 2020, when her pit bull with an excessive bite history, attacked three adults. One of them later died.

Since 2016, her male pit bull, named "Hurley," has attacked a half dozen people. At least three victims suffered serious injuries, requiring hospitalization and surgical procedures. All of these attacks occurred when the victim was visiting Morrow's home. Predictably, the dog's vicious attacks escalate over the years, culminating in the November 2020 attack involving three victims. One of those victims, an adult male, died in 2021. Sepsis and wounds contributed to his death.

In June 2016, Hurley attacked a man's face, a friend, who had been coming to her home. His injuries required surgery. In November 2016, the dog attacked another man who was visiting Morrow's home. "Those injuries were disfiguring." Morrow was issued a ticket for harboring a vicious dog. Between 2017 and 2018, the dog knocked a woman down who had come to Morrow's home to report a water leak. The dog stayed on top of the victim until Morrow called off the dog.

In November 2020, Hurley attacked three people in a multi-victim attack. The first victim, a woman, was bitten so badly, she required long-term hospitalization. Another woman, who tried to help the first victim, suffered multiple bites to her thigh and breast. The first victim's husband also intervened to help his wife; he suffered multiple bite wounds to his stomach and thighs. In January 2021, the husband returned to the hospital for his dog bite injuries that became septic and he died.

-June 2016: her pit bull named Hurley bit a man's face who was a friend who was coming to the Morrow home. His injuries required surgery.

-November 2016: the dog bit a man who was visiting. Those injuries were disfiguring and Morrow was issued a ticket for harboring a vicious dog.

-2017 or 2018: the dog knocked down a woman who was coming to the Morrow home to report a water leak and the dog stayed on top of the victim until Morrow called off the dog.

-November 2020: the dog bit several people.

-When a woman tried to help the victims, she was bitten on the thigh and breast.

-Another woman was bitten and her injuries required long term hospitalization.

-When that woman's husband tried to help her, he was bitten several times in the stomach and thighs.

-2021: That man went back to the hospital for his dog bite injuries that became septic and he died.

-The autopsy says sepsis and wounds contributed to his death. - Lori Fullbright

Morrow is being charged under Section § 21-717 of state code: "Owner of mischievous animal which kills person. If the owner of a mischievous animal, knowing its propensities, willfully suffers it to go at large, or keeps it without ordinary care, and such animal, while so at large or not confined, kills any human being who has taken all the precautions which the circumstances permitted, to avoid such animal, the owner is deemed guilty of manslaughter in the second degree."

During the dog's last vicious attack, Hurley mauled a married couple and a woman who tried to intervene. The wife in the married couple required long-term hospitalization. After receiving initial care for his wounds, her husband "returned" to the hospital because his bite injuries became infected. Sepsis and wounds were contributing factors to his death, according to the autopsy. The amount of misery this couple has suffered due to a known vicious dog cannot be calculated.

On April 26, 2022, a $40,000 bench warrant was issued for Morrow for failure to appear in court. On May 10, a judge issued a forfeiture for Morrow's initial bail amount of $20,000. The bondsman was ordered to deposit the $20,000 to the court within 91 days. However, Morrow was located that very day and held in custody at the Rogers County Jail, according to court filings. Her next scheduled court date is an arraignment on May 16. The court appointed OIDS as her counsel.1

Infection-Related Deaths

Our nonprofit certainly includes sepsis and infection-related dog bite injury deaths involving vicious dog attacks that result in severe injuries that received medical treatment. Currently, we exclude "untreated severe dog bites (sepsis)" cases, but these "may be added to our data at a future time," we state on multiple pages. Furthermore, this dog owner is facing manslaughter charges due to this man's death. "Sepsis and wounds" contributed to his death, according to charging documents.

View the DogsBite.org Google State Map: Oklahoma Fatal Pit Bull Attacks.

1Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

Special Report: Dog Biting Incidents (2014 to Present)

German shepherd: Gomagoti, CC-BY-SA 2.5 and Labrador: IDS.photos, CC BY-SA 2.0

DogsBite.org - From January 2014 to present, animal control and health departments in 20 U.S. states report that pit bulls lead all dog breeds in biting incidents, including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. in addition to dominating biting incidents, the pit bull bite is also the most damaging, according to scientific medical studies. Also see: Archived Dog Biting Incidents (2005 to 2013)

San Bernardino County, California | Severity Data
In 2024, we analyzed eight years of dog bite injury severity data (2016-2023) from San Bernardino County Animal Services. A total of 5566 bites were reported during the period. From 2016 to 2023, the total number of bites increased 27% (695 to 883). Among the different severity levels, bites of minor severity increased 13% (373 to 420); bites of moderate severity increased 38% (218 to 300), and bites of severe injury increased 70% (61 to 104). Severe injury bites increased over 5 times more percentage-wise than minor injury bites and over 1.75 times more than moderate injury bites. Pit bulls inflicted 40% (297/736) of all severe injury bites, nearly 4 times more than any other dog breed.

2016-2023 DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | 2016-2023 raw dataset of all dog bites (PDF)

San Bernardino County, California | Severity Data
Also in 2024, we analyzed three years of Covid dog bite data (2020-2022) from San Bernardino County Animal Services. In 2020, 602 bites were reported. Pit bulls led bites in all three injury severity categories (Minor, Moderate and Severe), inflicting 182 bites, over 3 times more than any other breed. Of the bites categorized as "Severe," pit bulls inflicted 41% (40/98). In 2021, 592 bites were reported. Pit bulls led bites on all injury levels, inflicting 158 bites. Of the bites categorized as "Severe," pit bulls inflicted 37% (39/106). In 2022, 717 bites were reported. Pit bulls led bites on all injury levels, inflicting 190 bites. Of the bites categorized as "Severe," pit bulls inflicted 50%. (56/112).

2020 DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | 2020 Raw dataset of all dog bites (PDF)
2021 DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | 2021 Raw dataset of all dog bites (PDF)
2022 DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | 2022 Raw dataset of all dog bites (PDF)

Louisville, Kentucky
In an April 2024 special report, we published our analysis of Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) dog bite investigations, other public safety activity types, and dog licensing trends by breed during the 4-year period of 2020 to 2023. Despite only comprising 9.8% of licensed dogs, pit bulls accounted for 46% of dog bite investigations, 5 times higher than the next closest breed. Pit bulls accounted 47% of dog-on-dog attack investigations, nearly 6 times higher than the next closest breed, 46% of illegal dog chaining investigations, and more. Of the 11 public safety activity types we examined in the LMAS open data set, pit bulls consumed over 5 times more animal control resources than the next closest breed.

Louisville Metro, KY Animal Services Activity Log, January 1, 2020 to January 13, 2024 | Activity Log Catalog | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (XLSB) | Louisville Metro, KY Animal License Data, January 1, 2020 to January 13, 2024 | Animal License Catalog | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (XLSB)

San Antonio, Texas | Severity Data
In October 2023, after Ramon Najera Jr. and Paul Striegl were killed in separate attacks by pit bulls, a local news agency reviewed dog bite statistics from San Antonio Animal Care Services (SAACS). Of the 411 dog bites that resulted in hospitalization or death during the fiscal year of 2023, 331 had a breed recorded in the SAACS database. Pit bulls were responsible for 31% of these hospitalizations when breed was known (101 of 331) and 25% of all cases (101 of 411). Pit bulls were responsible for both fatalities that occurred in the same period. Our 2019 review of SAACS data shows the agency categorizes "pit bulls" into four different breed names to muddy the waters.

Mariza Mendoza, "San Antonio's dog bite crisis: Over 3,000 cases reported, pit bull look-alikes top the list," WOIA, October 31, 2023 (news4sanantonio.com)
DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Related 2017: DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF)

Woodbury County, Iowa
In March 2023, we analyzed dog biting incidents collected by the Siouxland District Health Department over the period of January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022. On November 25, 2019, Sioux City repealed its longstanding pit bull ban. During 2019, there were only 5 pit bull bites. By the end of 2020, pit bulls became the top-biting breed with 18 biting incidents, leading Labrador retrievers (14 bites) and German shepherds (14 bites). By the end of 2022, bites inflicted by pit bulls rose to 27, an increase of over 5 times since 2019. Pit bulls now maintain over a 2:1 margin lead in bites inflicted by Labrador retrievers (12 bites) and a 3:1 margin lead in bites inflicted by German shepherds (9 bites).

Animal Bites by Type and Breed Woodbury County, Iowa, 2018-2022, Siouxland District Health Department. DogsBite.org adapted dataset charts and graphs (PDF) | Raw data set with adapted breed group column (PDF) | 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022.

New York City, New York
In May 2022, we analyzed the self-reported dog biting incidents collected by the New York City Department of Health over the period of January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2021. There were 22663 bites reported; breed was known in 79% of cases (17987). Pit bull bites (5558) exceeded the next top biting breed, shih tzu (890), by over 6 times. The mixed-breed group weighed in at 1657. Bites by breed and gender show that males accounted for 72% of all bites. Comparing data sets, 2015-2017 and 2018-2021, shows that reports of bites by "mixed breeds" increased 142% between the two periods. No other dog biting breed category had such a significant increase.

Dog Bite Data Reported to Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) January 1, 2015 to December 27, 2021. DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Raw Data Set with Adapted Breed Column (XLSX). It must also be noted that the "False" response for spay/neuter in this data set cannot be accurately measured, as "False" includes two distinct scenarios: Unknown or Not Spay or Neutered. Thus, the False response is exceedingly high.

City and County of Denver, Colorado | Severity Data
In January 2022, Axios published 2021 dog bite data for Denver. A total of 695 dog bites were recorded. In November 2020, voters repealed the city's pit bull ban. Just one year after rescinding the ban, pit bulls became the top-biting breed with 117 bites (17% of total, 117/695), nearly twice as many as the next top-biting breed, German shepherds, 61 bites. Prior to the ban being rescinded, our nonprofit examined three years of Denver dog bite data (2017-2019). Pit bulls inflicted 41 bites in 2017 (6% of total), 34 bites in 2018 (7% of total), and 38 bites in 2019 (7% of total). Thus, between 2020 and 2021, which includes a year before and after the ban was lifted, pit bull bites tripled in Denver.

Alayna Alvarez, "Pit bull bites in 2021 outnumber those of any other breed," Axios, January 5, 2022 (axios.com)
Addendum - Denver Top-Biting Breeds by Bite Level and Denver Top-Biting Breeds by Year, January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019, DogsBite.org, May 30, 2024 (dogsbite.org) | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF)
Dog Bites on Humans and Injury Severity Level, January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019, Denver Animal Shelter | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Raw dataset of all top biting breeds (PDF)

State of South Carolina
In April 2021, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control released state-level dog bite data. This is a rare occurrence that we have only seen in one other state, Delaware (2011). The data showed that during 2019 there were 7,499 recorded dog bites when breed was known. Of those, one-third, 2,433 bites, were attributed to pit bulls and their mixes, three times more than the next top-biting breed, Labradors and their mixes with 833 bites. The data was released in conjunction with House Bill 4094, filed by Rep. Chip Huggins. The bill requires the registration of all "fertile pit bulls" and a $25 dollar fee, which is $475 lower than a similar bill introduced in 2019.

Andy Brack, "BIG STORY: Bill incentivizes control of pit bull births," State House Report, April 9, 2021 (statehousereport.com) URL:https://www.statehousereport.com/2021/04/09/big-story-bill-incentivizes-control-of-pit-bull-births/ (Archived by the Wayback Machine)

Kansas City, Missouri
Also in April, our nonprofit obtained dog bite data from the Kansas City Animal Health and Public Safety Division. We now have three consecutive years of dog bite data from the city: 2018, 2019 and 2020. The most recent data, 2020, shows the continuing staggering trend of pit bulls disproportionately biting. From January 1 to November 30, 2020, there were a total of 373 dog bites reported. Pit bulls inflicted 195 of of these bites, 52%. Pit bulls inflicted over five times more bites than the next closest breed, Labrador retrievers, with 34 bites. The 2020 results are even worse than 2019, when pit bulls inflicted 46% of bites, over four times more than any other dog breed.

Canine Bites to Humans by Breed Data, Kansas City, Missouri, January 1, 2020 to November 30, 2020.

UK and Netherlands
In March 2021, we examined two recent peer-reviewed studies (2020 and 2019) that investigated dog-on-dog attacks and “dog-killing" aggression in the UK and Netherlands, a field of study that otherwise has a glaring absence of data, especially in the United States. In the UK study, pit bull breeds inflicted these attacks 5 times more frequently than other breeds (75 of 188; 40%). In the Netherlands study, pit bull breeds inflicted these attacks 3.75 times more frequently than other breeds (71 of 128; 56%). Both peer-reviewed studies also showed that small dog breeds, such as Yorkshire terriers and chihuahuas, made up the vast majority of victimized dogs, 70% and 83% respectively.

Peer-Reviewed Study Examines Dog-on-Dog Attacks in the UK by Analyzing News Media Articles, by DogsBite.org, March 11, 2021 (dogsbite.org)
Dog Bites Dog: The Use of News Media Articles to Investigate Dog-on-Dog Aggression, by Montrose VA, Squibb K, Hazel S, Kogan LR and Oxley JA, Journal of Veterinary Behavior , 40 (2020) 7e15.
Intraspecific Killing in Dogs: Predation Behavior or Aggression? A Study of Aggressors, Victims, Possible Causes, and Motivations, by Schilder, MB, van der Borg, JA, Vinke, CM, J Vet Behav, 34 (2019) 52e59.

Aurora, Colorado
In June 2020, we obtained 3-years of dog bite statistical data by breed from the city of Aurora. Our records request came after the city began discussing a repeal of its pit bull ban that it adopted in 2005. From January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019, there were 1180 total bites to humans. Among the top-biting breeds, the "Pit bull (restricted)" group nearly tied for second place, inflicting 104 bites. This breed group followed Labrador retrievers (121 bites) and German shepherds (105 bites). When combined into the "Pit bull (all)" group, which includes pit bulls and their mixes that do not meet the definition in the ordinance, pit bulls catapulted to the lead with 151 bites.

The City of Aurora, Colorado Dog Bite Statistics by Breed and Intake, Euthanasia Data Over a Three Year Period (2017-2019) | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Raw dataset of all top biting breeds (PDF)

Harris County, Texas | Severity Data
In March 2020, a large-scale study was published in Veterinary World, "A look at the incidence and risk factors for dog bites in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, USA." Between 2013 and 2016, 6683 bites were reported. Pit bulls had the highest frequency of bites (25.07%), followed by Labrador retrievers (13.72%). In bites recorded as "severe" or "mauling," pit bulls also had the most biting incidents (49.57%); nearly four times higher than the next closest breed, Labrador retrievers (12.92%). "The odds of a severe injury by a pit bull is 213% higher than the odds for dogs of all other breeds (excluding German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever)," states the study.

17.77% of bites in 2016 involved a dog fight. The greatest frequency of dog fights involved pit bulls as the biting dog (32.43%), followed by Labrador retrievers as the biting dog (16.22%).

A look at the incidence and risk factors for dog bites in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, USA, by Hasoon B, Shipp A, and Hasoon J, Vet World, 2020 Mar; 13(3): 419–425.

Vancouver, British Columbia
In February 2020, we received dog bite statistical data from a Canadian citizen who obtained data from the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. The city provided dog bites by breed type from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. Pit bulls inflicted more attacks on humans and animals than all other dogs when breed was known. Over the 3-year period, there were 432 attacks on humans. Pit bulls inflicted 12% (51) of these bites. German shepherds followed with 34 bites. During this same period there were 344 attacks on animals. Pit bulls inflicted 26% (90) of these attacks, over three times more than the next closest breed, German shepherds with 29 bites.

Dog Bites on Humans and Animals, City of Vancouver, January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018 | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Raw dataset of all dog bites (PDF)

City and County of Denver, Colorado | Severity Data
Also in February, we obtained dog bite statistical data by breed and injury severity from Denver Animal Shelter over a 3-year period. Our records request came after an attempt to repeal the 30 year old pit bull ban failed, halted by a veto from the mayor. From January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019, there were 1717 total bites to humans. Bites were separated into four levels of severity, 2 to 5, with 5 being the most severe. Of the combined categories of the most severe bites, Levels 4 and 5, there were 168 bites among the top biting breeds. American bulldogs inflicted the most serious bites, 17% (29), followed by Labrador retrievers, 16% (27) and pit bulls, 14% (24).

Dog Bites on Humans and Injury Severity Level, January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019, Denver Animal Shelter | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Raw dataset of all top biting breeds (PDF)

Kansas City, Missouri
Also in February, we obtained two years of bite data from Kansas City, Missouri. In 2019, there were a total of 336 canine bites to humans. Pit bulls and their mixes inflicted 46% (154) of all bites, over four times more than any other breed. German shepherds and their mixes followed, inflicting 10% (35). 6.5% of all bites (22 of 336) occurred at the shelter or involved field staff. In 2018, there were a total of 343 canine bites to humans. Pit bulls and their mixes inflicted 49% (168) of all bites, over five times more than any other breed. German shepherds and their mixed followed, inflicting 9% (32). Only 2% of all bites (7 of 343) occurred at the shelter or involved field staff.

Canine Bites to Humans by Breed Data, Kansas City, Missouri, January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Canine Bites to Humans by Breed Data, Kansas City, Missouri, January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

Maricopa County, Arizona
Also in February, 12 News I-Team examined how the high unwanted pit bull population is "overwhelming shelters" and contributing to attacks. The investigative news agency examined dog bite records from Maricopa County Animal Care and Control and found that pit bulls contribute to hundreds of more biting incidents compared with other dog breeds. From January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, there were over 4,700 bites to humans and animals. Pit bulls and their mixes inflicted 801 of these bites, 17% of total. This is over twice the number of bites inflicted by the next closest breed, German shepherds and their mixes, which inflicted 344 bites, 7% of total.

Joe Dana, Pit bull population overwhelming shelters, contributing to attacks, 12 News, February 26, 2020 (12news.com) URL: https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/pit-bull-population-overwhelming-shelters-contributing-to-attacks/75-80302ac4-b765-45f5-b26f-d7e1b0effbc9 (Archived by the Wayback Machine)

Pawtucket, Rhode Island
In October 2019, The Valley Breeze obtained records of dog bites in Pawtucket since the city was forced to lift their longstanding pit bull ban in 2013. Back in September 2013, we did an extensive report on the success of Pawtucket's pit bull ban. Attacks inflicted by pit bulls plunged into scarcity during 10-year ban period of 2004 to 2013, when only 23 bites were attributed to the breed. Over the recent 5-year period of July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2019 there were a total of 319 dog bites and attacks on people and other animals. 116 were attributed to pit bulls or pit bull mixes, 36%. Today, there are 10 times as many attacks per year by pit bulls than during the ban years.

Ethan Shorey, "Pit bull attacks on the rise since ban overturned," The Valley Breeze, October 15, 2019 (valleybreeze.com)
"Dramatic Decline in Attacks by Pit Bulls Since Pawtucket Adopted Pit Bull Ban in 2004," DogsBite.org, September 17, 2013 (dogsbite.org) | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF)

Fairfield, Ohio
In September 2019, the city of Fairfield released dog bite statistical data while discussing a proposed ordinance that repeals the city's longstanding pit bull ban. Between 2016 and present, a total of 59 biting incidents were reported. Pit bulls were responsible for 14 of these biting incidents, 24%. Fairfield enacted its pit bull ban in 2006, yet a quarter of the recently reported dog bites still involved pit bulls. The proposed ordinance requires all dog owners to maintain $10,000 in dog bite liability insurance. Also, the penalty for a first offense of a dog "running at large" violation under the proposed ordinance is a fourth degree misdemeanor: a fine up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail.

Regular Meeting Agenda Packet - September 23, 2019, City of Fairfield, Ohio, Amendment of the City's Animal Control Ordinance (fairfield-city.org) (Archived by DogsBite.org)

Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Also in September, The Valley Breeze obtained dog bite statistical data from the Woonsocket Police Department. The data shows that 171 dog bite incidents have been reported since 2014. Of these, 42% (72) were inflicted by pit bulls or pit bull-type breeds. This is 12 times more than the next closest breeds: shih tzus and chihuahuas, each with 6 biting incidents. German shepherds and Labrador retrievers followed, each with 5 bites; poodles, rottweilers and boxers, each with 3 bites; and huskies and bulldogs, each with 2 bites. Bites to both people and animals are included in the incidents. 10 incidents involved dogs biting police officers, mailmen or state constables.

Lauren Clem, "Pit bulls account for nearly half of dog bites in Woonsocket," The Valley Breeze, September 25, 2019 (valleybreeze.com) URL: http://www.valleybreeze.com/2019-09-25/woonsocket-north-smithfield/pit-bulls-account-nearly-half-dog-bites-woonsocket (Archived by the Wayback Machine)

Kansas City, Missouri
In March 2019, we obtained animal quarantine bite data from the city of Kansas City, Missouri. From January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018, there were 270 total animals held in bite quarantine after inflicting a bite. Dogs were responsible for 242 of these bites. Pit bulls and their mixes inflicted 46% (111) of all dog bites requiring quarantine, nearly six times more than any other breed. Labradors and their mixes followed, inflicting 8% (19) of dog bites requiring quarantine. Shepherds, a broad category excluding German shepherds, followed with 14 bites and German shepherds with 11 bites. No other dog breeds held in quarantine inflicted more than 10 bites.

Animal Intake Bite Quarantine Data, Kansas City, Missouri, January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 | Raw dataset of all animal bites (PDF) | Combined, bats and domesticated cats inflicted 28 bites requiring quarantine.

San Bernardino County, California | Severity Data
In February 2019, San Bernardino County Animal Services released dog bite statistical data after four pit bulls killed Lana Bergman. During the 12 month period of 2018, there were 648 dog bites. Pit bulls led biting incidents in three injury severity categories: Minor (63), Moderate (75) and Severe bites (24), inflicting a total of 167 bites. German shepherds followed with 100 bites. Of the total number of bites categorized as "Severe," pit bulls inflicted 25%, followed by German shepherds with 15%. In the gender categories, unsterilized male dogs inflicted 26% of all bites, followed by neutered males, 25%, unsterilized female dogs, 21%, and spayed females, 16%.

Brooke Beare, "Mauled: New questions surround the death of a desert woman attacked by four pit bulls," KESQ, February 18, 2019 (kesq.com)
URL:https://www.kesq.com/news/mauled-new-questions-surround-the-death-of-a-desert-woman-attacked-by-four-pit-bulls/1007053873. Accessed: 2019-03-13. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/76quUTss8)
DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Raw dataset of all dog bites (PDF)

New York City, New York
Also in February, we downloaded the dataset of dog bites collected by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). "Information on breed, age, gender and spayed or neutered status have not been verified by DOHMH and is listed only as reported to DOHMH," states the website. From January 2015 to January 2018, there were 8,707 reported dog bites. If one combines the many labels given to pit bulls (including, pit bull, pit bull mix, American pit bull mix/Pit bull mix, American Pit Bull Terrier/Pit Bull and more), pit bulls accounted for 34% (2923) of all bites -- nearly 7 times more than the next breed, shih tzu and their mixes, which accounted for 431 bites.

See the data visualization that does not combine the multiple pit bull breed labels -- Dog bites in NYC (EDA) by RStudio, last updated February 1, 2019 (rpubs.com) -- (or view their graphic chart of biting breeds)
DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Dataset of bites by predominant breed (PDF)

City and County of San Francisco | Severity Data
In January 2019, we obtained dog bite statistical data by breed, injury severity and reproductive status from San Francisco Animal Care and Control over a 5-year period. From January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018, there were 3625 total bites to humans and animals. Bites were separated into five levels of severity, 0 to 4, with 4 being the most severe. Of the combined categories of the most severe bites, Levels 3 and 4, there were 326 total bites. Pit bulls inflicted 46% (149) of these bites, over twice as many as the next closest breed, chihuahuas (60), and over twice as many as all other breeds combined (69). Sterilized dogs accounted for 73% (237) of these serious bites.

Dog Bites on Humans and Animals by Breed, Injury Severity Level and Reproductive Status, January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2018, San Francisco Animal Care and Control | DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Raw dataset of all dog bites (PDF)

Louisville, Kentucky
Also in January, the Department of Public Health and Wellness in Louisville provided dog bite statistical data to WHAS 11, who was researching, "The trouble with pit bull adoptions." Of the 838 dog bites reported in 2018, 537 of them contained breed data. Pit bulls inflicted the lion share with 188 bites (35%) – nearly three times more any other breed. German shepherds followed with 65 bites and Labradors with 32. The piece also showcased a "long-stay" shelter pit bull named Pepperoni Pizza, "a very sweet and lovable boy" a volunteer said. But one week after WHAS 11 visited the shelter, "Pepperoni attacked another dog at the shelter," noted the news team.

Lisa Hutson and C.J. Daniels, "Bad Breed or Bad Rap: The trouble with pit bull adoptions," WHAS 11, January 31, 2019 (whas11.com)
URL:https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/bad-breed-or-bad-rap-the-trouble-with-pit-bull-adoptions/417-c322bbbe-63a0-457f-8576-48a89952f097. Accessed: 2019-02-01. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/75rbDihM9)

San Antonio, Texas | Severity Data
Also in January, San Antonio Animal Care Services provided animal bite statistics to Fox 29 News. However, their Tableau dataset did not take into account the multiple names of the pit bull breed, which includes: American pit bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, pit bull and Staffordshire terrier. We adapted the dataset to do so. Over the 12-month period of October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 there were 3043 reported biting incidents. Dogs were responsible for 82% (2499). Pit bulls accounted for 26% (657) of all bites, followed by Labradors, 14% (360). Of the 120 dog bites categorized as "severe" injury, pit bulls were responsible for 47% (56).

Joe Conger, "Which pet is the biggest biter? By Zip Code," Fox 29, January 9, 2019 (foxsanantonio.com)
DogsBite.org adapted dataset (PDF) | Raw dataset of all animal bites (PDF)

Casper, Wyoming
In October 2018, Casper Metro Animal Services provided animal bite statistical data to city council members. Over the 1.5 year period of January 1, 2017 to June 27, 2018, there were 721 reported animal bites in Casper, which has a population of 57,814, according to the US Census Bureau. Over 600 bites were attributed to dogs. Pit bulls and their mixes inflicted nearly one-third of these bites (199) and over twice as many bites as Labradors (92). German shepherds followed with 66 bites. Casper is currently drafting an ordinance that will "beef up" animal protections, despite the fact that it is human beings who are being bitten and attacked at a rate of 1.3 times per day.

Katie King, "Dog bites in Casper lead city council to suggest stricter laws," Casper Star Tribune, October 22, 2018 (trib.com) (Archived by Internet Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20181023030122/https://trib.com/news/local/casper/dog-bites-in-casper-lead-city-council-to-suggest-stricter/article_18797c24-3fe7-5a9b-8a47-7f08132dc5ac.html)

St. Louis, Missouri
In June 2018, statistical data was released after St. Louis fulfilled a public information request by supplying a report of animal biting incidents in 2017. During the 12-month period, 205 animal bites were reported, of which 91% (186) were attributed to dogs. Pit bulls and their mixes were responsible for nearly 40% of all dog bites (72 of 186); over three times more than the next closest breed, Labradors and their mixes, attributed to 20 bites. By combining the two different shepherd results (14 and 11), German shepherds and their mixes inflicted 25 total bites. This is still three times less than pit bulls combined with American Staffordshire terriers, totaling 74 biting incidents.

2017 Dog Bites by Breed, St. Louis - Department of Health, Animal Control Center, April 12, 2018

Franklin County, Missouri
Also in June, the Franklin County Health Department issued a follow up report (see April listing below). This activity follows the dog mauling death of a 13-month old baby girl in Cape Girardeau in March. In the last 18 months, 315 animal bites have been reported in Franklin County, of which 231 have come from dogs. 56 (24%) of all reported dog biting incidents are attributed to pit bulls, more than twice the number as the next closest breed, mixed-breed, which accounted for 20 (9%). Labradors and their mixes followed with 10 (4%) biting incidents. These are the only three breeds with recorded bites in double digits. 91 bites (31%) had no documented breed information.

Monte Miller, "Pit Bull Bites Top County Stats Just Under 25 Percent" Missourian.com, June 10, 2018 (emissourian.com)
URL:http://www.emissourian.com/pit-bull-bites-top-county-statsn-just-under-percent/article_e4220a66-7069-5109-88cf-92c06bfa39b0.html. Accessed: 2018-06-10. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/704nIfvsZ)

Gulfport, Mississippi
In May 2018, after two pit bulls mauled an elderly woman to death in Gulfport, police released recent dog bite statistical data. From May 2016 to May 2018, there were 119 canine biting incidents. 106 involved dogs "at large" biting people, compared to 13 that were not at large. Pit bulls were responsible for over half in both categories. Pit bulls accounted for 53% (63 of 119) of the total incidents, including 53% (56 of 106) of at large incidents. Pit bulls inflicted 10 times more bites than the next closest breed, German shepherds, which accounted for 5% (6 of 119) of the total biting incidents. Labradors followed with 4% (5 of 119) of the total biting incidents.

The list also included bites to other animals during the period. Of the 73 attacks, pit bulls accounted for 55% (40); German shepherds and Labradors each inflicted 5% (4) attacks.

Patrick Ochs, "Dog bite data released by Gulfport police after pit bull attacks," Sun Herald, May 18, 2018 (sunherald.com)
URL:http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/counties/harrison-county/article211461194.html. Accessed: 2018-05-18. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6zWNCOMi6)

Kansas City, Missouri
In April 2018, the Animal Health & Public Safety Department of Kansas City fulfilled a public information request by supplying a report of animal biting incidents in 2017. A total of 418 bites were reported to the department. Dogs inflicted 346 of these bites. Pit bulls inflicted the highest number of bites, 152 (44%), and four times more than the next closest breed, Labrador retrievers, which inflicted 38 (11%). German shepherds followed with 27 (8%) bites and American bulldogs with 14 (4%) bites. Notably, 21 (5%) of all reported animal bites in the entire city occurred at the Kansas City Pet Project Animal Shelter, which operates the city's open admission shelter.

2017 Dog Bites by Breed, Animal Health & Public Safety Department, Kansas City, Missouri, April 2, 2018.

Franklin County, Missouri
Also in April, the Franklin County Health Department stated that 31 animal biting incidents have been reported so far in 2018. 23 were dog bites and pit bulls inflicted 9 of them, 39%. Public Health Supervisor Tony Buel said that 2017 was the first year he began tracking breed data. "Pit bulls are the main breed we see bites from," Buel said, followed by Jack Russell terriers and mixed-breeds. For all of 2017, 219 animal bites were reported to the health department. Dogs inflicted 193 of those bites and pit bulls inflicted 43. Buel said the majority of severe injury dog bites come from pit bulls and cases with the worst damage almost always involve pit bulls.

Monte Miller, "Dog Bite Injuries May Lead to Action By County Commission," Missourian.com, April 4, 2018 (emissourian.com)
URL:http://www.emissourian.com/local_news/county/dog-bite-injuries-may-lead-to-action-by-county-commission/article_42ab9d25-fe6e-5139-9543-828f2111325e.html. Accessed: 2018-04-05. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6ySctVbgU)

Allegheny County, Pennsylvania | Registration Data
In January 2018, a study was published about dog bites in Allegheny County between 2007 and 2015. When excluding "mix-breeds," purebred pit bulls accounted for 27.2% of all dog bites, yet only comprised 4.9% of the registered dog breeds. The next closest breed, German shepherds, inflicted 10.5% of all bites and comprised 5.2% of the registered dog breeds. Across age groups, pit bulls inflicted over 2 times the number of bites (66 v. 29) to children 0-3 years than any other dog breed; 2.7 times more bites (90 v. 33) to ages 4-6 years; over 2.7 times more bites (207 v. 75) to ages 7-12 years; and 4 times more bites (184 v.46) to ages 13-18 years. (View chart)

Dog bites in a U.S. county: age, body part and breed in paediatric dog bites, by Sriram Ramgopal, Lauren Bealafeld Brungo, Michael R. Bykowski, Raymond D. Pitetti, Robert W. Hickey, Acta Pædiatricam January 13, 2018.

Palm Beach County, Florida
In November 2017, Contact 5 published an investigation into dangerous dogs in Palm Beach County, Florida. By examining dog bite records, they discovered there were over 1,700 dog bites in the county last year, but less than 100 dogs were designated as dangerous, appearing on the county's dangerous dog list. The investigation broke down the dangerous dog list by breed (view related chart). Topping the chart were pit bulls (32) with over twice as many designated as dangerous than the next closest breed, Labrador retrievers (14). Through their investigative research, they also uncovered a fatal dog attack that occurred in late August in Lake Worth.

Merris Badcock, "Contact 5 investigates 'dangerous dog' list, uncovers fatal dog attack in Palm Beach Co.," WPTV, November 1, 2017 (wptv.com)
URL:http://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/contact-5-investigation-into-dangerous-dog-list-uncovers-fatal-palm-beach-co-dog-attack. Accessed: 2018-04-05. (Archived by the the Wayback Machine)

Pima County, Arizona
In October 2017, the Green Valley News published a powerful piece (From the Editor: No, these are not nice dogs) after Pima Animal Care Center dropped breed labels in order to adopt out more pit bulls to the unsuspecting adopting public. The editorial also cites Pima County dog bite statistics. "Pit bulls were responsible for 319 bites last year in Pima County, more than 50 percent higher than No. 2 German Shepherd (197)." Back in 2011, after a 4-year calculation of reported dog bites in Pima County, reported bites inflicted by pit bulls were only 34% higher than the next closest breed, German shepherds (pit bulls 848 bites, versus German shepherds 633 bites).

Dan Shearer, "From the Editor: No, these are not nice dogs," Green Valley News, October 3, 2017 (gvnews.com)
URL:http://www.gvnews.com/opinion/from-the-editor-no-these-are-not-nice-dogs/article_cb0cddb2-a8ab-11e7-b13b-5b97258e229e.html. Accessed: 2017-10-05. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6tzvmHOhX)

Sacramento, California
In September 2017, The Sacramento Bee analyzed 2,800 bite reports made from May 2012 to May 2017. Of the 23 zip codes included in the analysis, two adjacent ones in North Sacramento -- 95815 and 95838 -- made up a quarter of all bite reports. Pit bulls dominated bite reports, responsible for more than one third of them. Of the 2,800 reported bites, pit bulls accounted for 922, more than four times more than the next closes breed, chihuahuas, which accounted for 225. Despite the "massive" disproportion, local animal-welfare officials dismissed this statistic, indicating yet again why such types have should have "zero role" in public safety.

Brad Branan, "Why the North Sacramento area has a dog-bite problem," The Sacramento Bee, September 22, 2017 (sacbee.com)
URL:https://www.sacbee.com/news/investigations/the-public-eye/article174730246.html. (Archived by Wayback Machine)

Springfield, Missouri | Severity Data
In August 2017, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department released dog bite statistical data after a proposed pit bull ban. Despite already being regulated by the city, pit bulls lead all other breeds in biting incidents, accounting for 38 between 2015 and 2017. The agency also released severity of injuries using the Dunbar Scale, where 1 is aggressive behavior and 6 results in death. Pit bulls were responsible for 15 Level 2 bites, 15 Level 3 bites, 5 Level 4 bites, and 3 Level 5 bites. Pit bulls are the only breed responsible for a Level 5 attack (multiple bites at Level 4 or above; a concerted, repeated attack) during the period, according to the data.

Collin Lingo, "Ralliers Say SGF: "Blaming the Wrong End of the Leash," OzarksFirst.com, August 25, 2017 (ozarksfirst.com)
URL:http://www.ozarksfirst.com/news/sgf-city-memo-reveals-dog-bite-statistics/798297832. Accessed: 2017-08-26. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6t0bLJEEN)

Pueblo, Colorado
In June 2017, after two life-threatening pit bull attacks required victims to be airlifted to trauma hospitals, Pueblo Animal Services (PAS) released dog attack statistics. Of the 13 dog attacks on humans this year, 11 have involved pit bull-type dogs, according to Lindsey Vigna, lieutenant of animal law enforcement for PAS. The vicious attacks, occurring less than a week apart, involved two family pit bulls attacking an elderly woman who suffered severe facial, hands and torso injuries, along with a fractured jaw. The other attack involved an 18-month old boy mauled by a family pit bull-mix at his home. The boy suffered severe injuries to his head, face and neck.

Ryan Severance, "Pueblo boy severely hurt in attack by family dog; animal euthanized," The Pueblo Chieftain, June 14, 2017 (chieftain.com)
URL:http://www.chieftain.com/news/pueblo/pueblo-boy-severely-hurt-in-attack-by-family-dog-animal/article_20af9b41-6e4d-5d08-a8d6-d92ed74ec546.html. Accessed: 2017-06-15. (Archived by Archive Is at https://archive.is/5qxkl)
Lena Howland, "Pueblo grandmother attacked by pit bulls," KOAA News, June 9, 2017 (koaa.com)
URL:https://web.archive.org/web/20170722074101/http://www.koaa.com/story/35631598/pueblo-grandmother-attacked-by-pit-bulls. Accessed: 2017-06-15. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6rF4eSQlo)

Broward County, Florida
Also in June, the Broward County's Animal Care and Adoption Division reported the county's top three biting breeds from June 2016 to June 2017. American Staffordshire terriers (an interchangeable name with pit bull terriers) led with 92 biting incidents, followed by pit bull terriers with 26 biting incidents. The third highest-ranking breed, Labrador retrievers, had 22 biting incidents. Officials in Tamarac, also located in Broward County, said there had been only two pit bull-related bites in the city over the past few years. Tarmac has had a pit bull ordinance in place since 1985. Soon, only Sunrise and Miami-Dade County will regulate pit bulls in south Florida.

Lisa J. Huriash, "Pit-bull restrictions go up for repeal in Tamarac," Sun Sentinel, June 27, 2017 (sunsentinel.com) URL:http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/lauderhill/fl-reg-lauderhill-pit-bull-attack-20180107-story.html. Accessed: 2018-01-07. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6wIqG4LM3)

Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio
In late April 2017, the Dayton Daily News reviewed dog biting incidents in the city and county after a pit bull broke free of its chain and fatally attacked a 60-year old man. According to the Public Health Department of Dayton and Montgomery County, there were 169 reported dog bites from owners who resided in Dayton last year. So far this year -- from January 1 to late April -- there were 56 reported dog bites from dogs whose owners live in Dayton. "In Montgomery County, there have been 245 reported dog bites so far this year. About 60 (24%) of the bites involved pit bulls, which was far more than any other breed identified," reports the Dayton Daily News.

Cornelius Frolik, Dayton man mauled by dog that neighbors had worried about," Dayton Daily News, April 25, 2017 (daytondailynews.com)
URL:https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/dayton-man-mauled-dog-that-neighbors-had-worried-about/S38cxDYrJnydT2UX0rAvZM/. Accessed: 2017-04-26. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6q1REVrTG)

Cape Cod, Massachusetts | Registration Data
In March 2017, the Cape Code Times reviewed dog bite and registration records across Cape Cod. Between January 2016 and February 2017, pit bulls had the most biting incidents, 58, nearly twice as many as the next closest breed, Labrador retrievers, which inflicted 29 bites. German shepherds followed, inflicting 26 bites. Pit bulls represented 12.6% of the breeds listed on bite reports, but only make up 1.2% of the registered dogs. In contrast, Labrador retrievers were 6.3% of the breeds listed on bite reports and make up 11.5% of the registered dogs. German shepherds represented 5.7% of the breeds listed on bite reports and make up 2.2% of the registered dogs.

Madeleine List, "Cape Cod breeds by the bite," March 13, 2017 (capecodtimes.com)
URL:http://www.capecodtimes.com/news/20170313/cape-cod-breeds-by-bite. Accessed: 2017-03-14. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6oyF8q7s0)

Montreal, Quebec | Severity & Registration Data
In a special addition, we are including statistics for the city of Montreal, poised to adopt a pit bull ban on September 27, 2016. The legislation comes three months after the brutal mauling death of Christiane Vadnais, killed by a neighbor's pit bull. On the eve of this historic vote, Montreal officials released dog biting incident statistics. Over the past 1.5 years, 362 serious dog bite incidents required police intervention. Since January 1, 2015, 137 people and animals have been badly injured or killed by pit bulls or pit bull crossbreeds. Pit bulls, which account for just 4.6% of registered dogs in Montreal, are responsible for 38% of all serious dog bite-related injuries.

"Montreal prepares to ban pit bulls," CTV Montreal, September 26, 2016 (montreal.ctvnews.ca) URL:http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-prepares-to-ban-pit-bulls-1.3089876. Accessed: 2016-09-27. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6kpyqN5gU)

Port Huron, Michigan
In January 2016, after the back-to-back fatal pit bull attacks of 22-year old Rebecca Hardy in Port Huron and 4-year old Xavier Strickland in Detroit, The Times Herald published dog bite statistics for Port Huron, a city with about 30,000 people. In 2014, pit bulls were responsible for over half of all dog bites in the city. There were 61 reported dog bites in 2014, and 33 of those were inflicted by pit bulls. This is in contrast to the city of Toronto, a population of 2.6 million people, where pit bulls only inflicted 13 bites in 2014. The Province of Ontario adopted a pit bull ban in 2005. Since this time, attacks inflicted by pit bulls in Toronto, Ontario's largest city, have dropped by 92%.

"Still waiting for answers for Hardy, pit bulls," The Times Herald, January 25, 2016 (thetimesherald.com)
Eric Andrew-Gee and Joel Eastwood, "Pit bulls were Toronto’s biggest biters, before the ban,"
TheStar.com, October 3, 2014 (thestar.com)
URL:http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/10/03/pit_bulls_were_torontos_biggest_biters_before_the_ban.html.
Accessed: 2014-10-06. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6T834ej0h)
"Ontario’s pit bull ban is working and mustn’t be repealed: Editorial," TheStar.com, October 6, 2014 (thestar.com)

Cleveland, Ohio
In November 2015, Cleveland 19 published dog bite statistical data from Cleveland showing the results of two time periods. In 2014, pit bulls were responsible for 40% of all dog bites where the dog's breed was identified. During the next 8-month period, January 1, 2015 to August 12, 2015, pit bulls were responsible for 41% of all dog bites involving an identified breed. Despite this, the city's Chief Animal Control Officer, Ed Jamison, denied that pit bulls posed a danger to the public and also denied that the city shelter -- with a pit bull occupancy rate of 40% -- posed a problem to the shelter. Cleveland 19 dubbed the city shelter, "The Pit Bull Motel." (View: full data file).

Carl Monday, Carl Monday Investigation: Pit Bulls in Cleveland, Cleveland 19 News, November 4, 2015 (cleveland19.com) (Archived by archive.is, Accessed: 11/05/2015, 16:38:04 UTC: https://archive.is/GliE4)

Hastings, Michigan
In October 2015, Hastings city officials discussed repealing their pit bull ordinance that prima facie declares pit bulls "dangerous." During discussions, Hastings City Police Chief Jeff Pratt shared statistics on dog-related complaints dating back to 2011. The statistics showed that 48% of all dog bites involved pit bulls, 41% of dangerous or aggressive dog complaints involved pit bulls and 66% of dogs shot by officers were pit bulls. Overall, “45.7% of our dog calls involve the pit bull breed,” Pratt said. “To me, this is a very significant number." These statistics clearly show that removing the existing ordinance, which does not prevent people from owning pit bulls, is injudicious.

Sandra Ponsetto, City asked to reconsider eliminating breed-specific dog ordinance, Hastings Banner, November 12, 2015 (hastingsbanner.com) URL:http://hastingsbanner.com/city-asked-to-reconsider-eliminating-breedspecific-dog-ordinance-p8192-84.htm. Accessed: 2015-11-12. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6czTLF5RO)
Sandra Ponsetto, Dog discrimination to be a thing of the past for City of Hastings, Hastings Banner, October 29, 2015 (hastingsbanner.com) URL:http://hastingsbanner.com/dog-discrimination-to-be-a-thing-of-the-past-for-city-of-hastings-p8148-84.htm. Accessed: 2015-11-12. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6czT5H6Bn)

Orange County, Florida
In June 2015, WKMG 6 News published the results of county dog bites over a 1-year period. From October 2013 to September 2014, Orange County Animal Services issued 331 citations to dog owners for failing to control their pets that resulted in a bite. Pit bulls and their mixes were responsible for 35% of all bites. Labradors followed in distant second place with 7%. German shepherds and chihuahuas each made up 6% of all reported bites. The records showed that 7% of all bites occurred when someone tried to break up a fight between two dogs or rescue a dog being attacked by another dog and 2% of the owners were repeat offenders. (View: graphic chart).

Mike DeForest, "Dog bite cases examined," WKMG 6 News, June 2, 2015 (clickonorlando.com) URL:http://www.clickorlando.com/news/dog-bite-cases-examined/33356142. Accessed: 2015-06-03. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6Z1XIhE6x)
"Web Extra: Animal Bite Statistics," WKMG 6 News, June 2, 2015 (clickonorlando.com) URL:http://www.clickorlando.com/news/web-extra-animal-bite-statistics/33356480. Accessed: 2015-06-03. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6Z1dDCYdp)

Portland-Area, Oregon | Registration Data
In March 2015, the Oregonian released results of an investigation of Portland-area dog bites since 2010. The investigation showed that there were 3,940 total biting incidents. Pit bulls inflicted 510 of these bites and were responsible for more bites than all other dog breeds. Labrador retrievers, which outnumbered licensed pit bulls by nearly 5-to-1, fell at a distant second with 427 bites. Among the highest biting rates by breed, pit bulls were number one with a 120 rate, followed by chows with a 100 rate, rottweilers 87 and mastiffs 76. The lowest biting rate breeds were golden retrievers, poodles and pomeranians with 12 and 13 rates accordingly (View: graphic chart).

Fedor Zarkhin, "Pit bulls are No. 1 in Portland-area bite investigations, data show," The Oregonian/Oregon Live, March 16, 2015 (oregonlive.com) URL:http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/03/pit_bulls_bite.html. Accessed: 2015-05-02. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6YEdwO2cT)

Maricopa County, Arizona | Registration Data
In January 2015, a study examining dog bite injuries at the level 1 trauma pediatric center in Phoenix was released (study years of 2007-2013). "Pit bulls were most frequently responsible, accounting for 39% (83/213) of incidents in which dog breed was documented," states the study. The study only examined patients whose intake was by ambulance. The study also examined county dog licensing records from 2008 and noted, "Pit bulls accounted for 6.25% of the licensed dog population, only the seventh most popular breed." Labradors were the most popular breed (25.7%) in the county, but only accounted for 3.5% of the patients in the dog bite injury study.

Morbidity of pediatric dog bites: A case series at a level one pediatric trauma center, by Erin M. Garvey, Denice K. Twitchell, Rebecca Ragar, John C. Egan and Ramin Jamshidi, Journal of Pediatric Surgery, February 2015, Volume 50, Issue 2:343-346.

Houston, Texas
In November 2014, ABC 13 Eyewitness News did an investigation into the number of dog bites in the city of Houston. This is the first known reporting of total dog bites in Houston on record in many years (and possibly ever). Statistics pertain to January 1, 2014 to September 24, 2014 and were supplied by the Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control (BARC).1 Of the 1,540 total reported bites during this period, pit bulls led with 518, double the number of the next topmost biting breed, German shepherds with 253 biting incidents. Labradors followed in third place with 171. Notably, Belgian malinois were also represented in fifth place with 37 (View: graphic chart).

Jessica Willey, "Are you living near one of Houston's most dangerous dogs?" ABC 13 Eyewitness News, November 26, 2014 (abc13.com) URL:http://abc13.com/pets/do-you-live-near-one-of-houstons-most-dangerous-dogs/411300/. Accessed: 2014-11-28. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6UQf4ynYn)
Houston Dog Bites, January 1st through September 24th, 2014, Source: BARC (Archived by DogsBite.org)
1We do not believe bites reported in unincorporated Harris County were included.

San Diego County, California
Also in November, NBC 7 released an investigative report after examining 7,600 bite reports between July 2011 and June 2014 in the jurisdiction of Animal Services, which includes the unincorporated portion of the county, and the cities of San Diego, Carlsbad, Santee, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Encinitas. Pit bulls had the most bites, a total of 851 during the 3-year period. Followed by German shepherds with 349 (less than half). In the 11-month period of December 2011 to November 2012, dogs in San Diego County killed four people, five if one includes a San Diego pit bull that was taken across the border and within a week killed a little girl in Tijuana.

Wendy Fry, "Tracking San Diego's Serious Dog Bites," NBC7 San Diego, November 4, 2014 (nbcsandiego.com) URL:http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Tracking-San-Diegos-Serious-Dog-Bites-281382291.html. Accessed: 2014-11-07. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6TugVgs5M)

Des Moines, Iowa | Registration Data
Also in November, after city council wrestled with pit bull advocates about their ordinance that declares pit bulls "vicious," assistant city manager Kandi Reindl presented data showing that pit bulls, despite being regulated, still bite more frequently than the most popular dog breed. The fist six months of data from 2014 showed that pit bulls were responsible for 27 biting incidents, more than any other breed out of 150 bites. Labrador retrievers followed with 14. However, there are 1,831 licensed Labradors compared with 466 licensed pit bulls, according to city data. "We have more bites by a pit bull than a Lab and there are four times as many Labs in the city," Reindl said.

Timothy Meinch, "Pit bulls 'high risk' in new proposed ordinance," The Des Moines Register, November 17, 2014 (desmoinesregister.com) URL:http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/2014/11/17/pit-bull-breed-specific-language-remains-new-animal-ordinance-vicious-dog-des-moines/19205053/. Accessed: 2015-01-08. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6VQrOpWZO)

Pennsylvania State
In September 2014, after a 20-month old boy was badly bitten in the face by his grandmother's pit bull in Manheim Township, the LancasterOnline wrote an editorial (Pit bulls and small children may be dangerous mix) and provided state dangerous dog designation statistics. Of the 562 dogs on the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s Dangerous Dog registry, pit bulls accounted for a whopping 41%. The next highest category on the list, mixed-breeds (non-pit bulls), accounted for 23%. "That is not even a single breed," notes the editorial. The single breed with the second-highest percentage on the list were German shepherds, accounting for just 7%.

The Editorial Board, "Pit bulls and small children may be a dangerous mix," LancasterOnline, September 19, 2014 (lancasteronline.com) URL:http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/pit-bulls-and-small-children-may-be-a-dangerous-mix/article_bd04e1c2-3f88-11e4-a8cd-0017a43b2370.html. Accessed: 2015-09-23. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6blg2B0cC)

King County, Washington | Registration Data
In August 2014, after a series of pit bull attacks in Western Washington, KIRO 7 obtained bite statistics from area municipalities and learned that pit bulls are 8.5 times more likely to attack than other dog breeds. Of the areas investigated, King County, Pierce County, Snohomish County and the city of Tacoma, only King County collected dog bites "by breed." In that county (excluding Seattle), there were 178 total dog bites in 2013. Pit bulls led all breeds with 36 bites, followed by Labrador retrievers with 28 bites. However, there are 16,651 Labradors and only 2,520 pit bulls registered in the county, indicating that pit bulls are 8.5 times more likely to bite than Labradors.

David Ham, "Pit bulls 8 and a half times more likely to attack," Kiro 7, August 4, 2014 (kirotv.com) URL:http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/pit-bulls-8-and-half-times-more-likely-attack/ngtc5/?__federated=1. Accessed: 2014-08-04. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6RadUuhwy)

Boston, Massachusetts | Registration Data
In June 2014, Boston.com published an article titled, 'But, My Pit Bull Would Never Attack' May Be Wishful Thinking. The publication then plowed through several years of dog bite statistics. From January 2012 to June 2014, there were 661 total dog bites in Boston, which includes bites against human, animal and unknown victims. Pit bulls and their mixes were responsible for 27% (180), despite pit bulls only making up 3% of the registered dog population. In 2012, a state preemption law signed by Governor Deval Patrick struck down the city of Boston's Responsible Pit Bull Ownership Act. Ever since, attacks by pit bulls have been on the rise. See: related graphic.

Megan Turchi, "'But, My Pit Bull Would Never Attack' May Be Wishful Thinking," Boston.com, June 24, 2014 (boston.com) URL:http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2014/06/24/but-pitbull-would-never-attack-may-wishful-thinking/ptsvtZc0DhiFbonPuCL1cI/story.html. Accessed: 2014-06-25. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6QbP0fnFi)

Hamilton County, Ohio
Also in June, after one of the worst attacks the region has ever seen, Hamilton County Health Department data showed that from January 1 to May 11, 2014, there were 38 biting incidents involving pit bulls and their mixes. In 2013, there were 74 total pit bull biting incidents. 2014 is on pace to top the total reported in 2013. Notably absent from the data is 2011 comparison statistics when Cincinnati still had a pit bull ban. Cincinnati repealed their longstanding ban in May 2012. The recent victim, 6-year old Zainabou Drame, suffered unimaginable injuries, including her tongue ripped out and her jaw torn off. Two pit bulls latched onto her face and pulled it apart.

Mark Nichols, "Interactive: Pit bull dog bite incidents in Hamilton County on the rise," WCPO Cincinnati, June 10, 2014 (wcpo.com) URL:http://www.wcpo.com/news/interactive-pit-bull-related-dog-bite-incidents-in-hamilton-county. Accessed: 2014-06-21. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6QVIyUxqL)
Tom McKee and Greg Noble, "Girl's family says 6-year-old suffered horrific injuries in pit bull attack in Westwood," WCPO Cincinnati, June 6, 2014 (wcpo.com) URL:http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/pit-bulls-attack-child-in-front-of-westwood-home. Accessed: 2014-06-21. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6QVIr2XEo)

Franklin County, Ohio
In May 2014, Franklin County Department of Animal Care and Control released 2013 statistics showing Nuisance, Dangerous and Vicious Designations by Breed (See: data chart). This data is a reflection of the new state law adopted in 2012. Pit bulls topped the charts in all three categories. Of the 208 total Nuisance designations in 2013, pit bulls received 79 (38%), followed by "mix" with 69 and Labradors with 8 -- pit bulls towering over Labradors by a 888% margin. Of the 291 total Dangerous designations, pit bulls received 124 (43%), followed by "mix" with 87 and German shepherds with 15. Of the 23 total Vicious designations, pit bulls received 13 (57%).

"Mother’s Day Dog Attack Sends Columbus Woman To The Hospital," WBNS-TV, May 12, 2014 (10tv.com) URL:https://web.archive.org/web/20200920175353/https://www.10tv.com/article/news/crime/crime-tracker/mothers-day-dog-attack-sends-columbus-woman-hospital/530-b975269d-9194-4790-9c07-64340c59f481. Accessed: 2021-12-24. (Archived by Wayback Machine)

Madison, Wisconsin
In February 2014, Alderman John Strasser introduced a pit bull sterilization ordinance to combat shelter overpopulation and a disproportionate number of attacks by pit bulls. Statistics complied by Public Health Madison and Dane County showed that: "More than half of the dogs euthanized at the humane society during 2010-12 were pit bulls … Pit bulls accounted for 12 percent of incidents involving dogs biting humans and 38 percent of the dog-on-dog attacks in the city in 2013. They also made up 21 percent of the cases of dogs running at large and 48 percent of abandoned dogs. Of the 15 dogs that were declared dangerous during 2011-13, 93% (14) were pit bulls."

Dennis Punzel, "City hopes to take a bite out of pit bull overpopulation," Wisconsin State Journal, February 3, 2014 (host.madison.com) URL:http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/city-hopes-to-take-a-bite-out-of-pit-bull/article_be2ff6ab-9078-5b62-aea3-4ffce8a7c714.html. Accessed: 2014-10-20. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6TTLfGsZo)

Bullhead City, Arizona
In January 2014, after a pit bull repeatedly escaped its yard terrorizing citizens and killing a pet dog, Bullhead City Police Department released dog bite statistics. The statistics showed that pit bulls were responsible for nearly half of all biting incidents. In 2013, animal control officers responded to 126 dog bites. Of these bites, (48%) -- 60 -- were inflicted by pit bulls and their mixes. The other half was spread among a variety of breeds. The release of the statistics and discussion of creating a stronger dog ordinance came just weeks after a Bullhead City man was fatally injured by his own five large dogs trying to break up a dog fight in late December.

Cat Smith, "City to host forum on dog ordinances," Mohave Daily News, January 23, 2014 (mohavedailynews.com) URL:http://www.mohavedailynews.com/articles/2014/01/23/news/local/doc52e0be11eaa7e762985234.txt#comment. Accessed: 2014-01-23. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6Mqpeaf7x)

Medford, Oregon
Also in January, Medford City Council began considering ways to crack down on the growing number of attacks by dangerous dog breeds. In the past three years, 89 reports of dog bites were received, according to the Medford Police Department. Pit bulls were involved in half of the attacks, and pit bulls or their mixes were responsible for 8 of the 11 fatal attacks on animals. Councilor Karen Blair began looking into the matter after a series of aggressive dog-on-dog attacks. Blair wants to review how other cities have controlled the problem, which includes reviewing cities with pit bull bans, mandatory pit bull sterilization or insurance requirements.

Damian Mann, "Medford looks at possible pit-bull ban," Mail Tribume, January 9, 2014 (mailtribune.com) URL:http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140109/NEWS/401090317. Accessed: 2014-01-09. (Archived by WebCite® at https://www.webcitation.org/6MVeRAE6L)

Posted on April 30, 2022 by Colleen Lynn

2022 Dog Bite Fatality: Public Health Employee Killed by Pack of Dogs in Alabama; Second Victim Killed by Same Dog Pack

Franklin County Dog Owner Faces Felonies after Dog Pack Kills Two

Summer Beard and Michele Sheeks died after being attacked by the same pack of dogs.

Estate of ADPH Victim Sues
UPDATE 01/20/23: In December 2022, the estate of Jaqueline Summer Beard, an Alabama Department of Health employee, sued 29 parties, individuals and corporations, in connection to Beard’s mauling death on April 29, 2022. At the time of the attack, Beard had been investigating an attack at 96 Crumpton Road in Red Bay that occurred one day earlier by the same seven dogs, which sent 44-year old Michelle Sheeks to a trauma center in Mississippi, where she died in July.

Beard’s estate is suing the dog’s owner, Brandy Dowdy -- who currently faces two counts of manslaughter -- the property owner, Billy Joe Crumpton, two animal control officers, four officers from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County, AL, the Franklin County Emergency Communications District, the Franklin County 911 Call Center and 19 fictitious defendants whose conduct -- jointly and severally -- contributed to the cause of injuries and death of Beard.

On April 28, at about 10:50 am, after Sheeks had been attacked, animal control officers and other defendants went to Dowdy’s home to observe the dogs and talk to her. At least one of her dogs that had blood on it had previously bitten a boy on April 23. Beard spoke with the officers at the scene via phone, as well as to Dowdy, explaining that her dogs needed to be quarantined. Beard went to the Dowdy property the next day, under the belief the dogs had already been seized.

But the dogs had not been removed. The two animal control officers left the premises on April 28 without capturing or quarantining Dowdy’s dogs. At that time, the officers were driving an animal control truck equipped with catch poles and a tranquilizer gun. Dowdy contacted defendants later that day requesting that they remove and euthanize her dogs, but no Franklin County office, including the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office or 911 Call Center, responded to her request.

Beard arrived at Dowdy’s home at about 12:20 pm the next day, April 29, under the impression the dogs had been removed. Beard was attacked by the dog pack about 10 minutes later, after she had taped information to Dowdy’s door. Beard laid dead on the property until 5:30 pm, until a deputy was dispatched to the home due to a “suspicious vehicle” on the property, which was Beard’s. When the deputy arrived, he could not exit his vehicle because of the aggressive dogs.

Despite the dangerousness of the situation, and two violent attacks, deputies and arriving animal control officers still did nothing to capture the dogs on the 29th. Instead, neighbors were forced to shoot and kill the dogs themselves. Apparently, the reason being is because the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office’s (FCSO) was afraid of being sued. And or, the conflicting report that FCSO ordered no shootings of the dogs because of an “upcoming sheriff’s election,” alleges the lawsuit.

AL.com also reports that Franklin County officials had knowledge of the vicious propensities of these dogs at least a year before the dog pack killed Beard. The 911 Call Center, sheriff’s deputies and animal control officers, “had actual knowledge that the dogs were unvaccinated; had been roaming at large in the area; attacking nearby animals and killing livestock; and biting neighbors for at least a year before Beard was violently attacked and killed by the dogs,” alleges the lawsuit.

07/13/22: Victim Dies While Hospitalized
On the morning of April 28, Michele Sheeks, 44, was walking down County Highway 11 south of Red Bay. When she got near Crumpton Road, a pack of dogs viciously attacked her. "They took her down and basically drug her probably about ten yards off the road, through a fire patch and barbed wire fence down in the edge of the pasture," her husband Wesley said back in May. She was airlifted to a hospital in Mississippi. Sheeks died while still hospitalized on July 12, 2022.

The morning after Sheeks was attacked, an Alabama public health employee drove to the dog owner's home on Crumpton Road to investigate Sheek's attack. Jacqueline Summer Beard never spoke to the dogs' owner. Beard was attacked and killed by the same dogs shortly after she got out of her vehicle. The owner of the dogs, Brandy Dowdy, 39, was arrested and charged with manslaughter and offenses under the state's dangerous dog law in connection to Beard's death.

The status updates on the fundraiser for Meeks are heartbreaking. She initially underwent multiple surgeries, including skin grafts on both arms, muscle grafts on both legs and "a skin graft to cover the muscle graft on each leg." By May 21, her husband Wesley reported there are "way too many procedures done at this point." By May 29, "both bacterial and fungal infection set up in both legs and said they still can't rule out the possibility of having to do some amputation," Wesley states.

On June 8, Wesley said, "Michele is now on a ventilator and we don't know for sure what is going on." On July 13, he announced on his Facebook page, "I lost the love of my life Michele Dill Sheeks last night around 10:50 pm." Doctors said, "her heart just stopped." Wesley told WHNT, "Unfortunately she never got the chance to leave that hospital." Sheeks died at the University of Mississippi Medical Center due to complications from the dog attack injuries late Tuesday night.

On June 16, Sheeks filed a civil lawsuit against Brandy Dowdy and her father Billy Joe Crumpton, who owns the premises where the dogs resided. The Complaint alleges multiple items, including that defendants "carelessly" managed the dogs that defendants "knew or should have known to be dangerous" and "negligently, wantonly, or recklessly failed to take reasonable steps to restrain, confine" the dogs, or take other reasonable actions that would have prevented the attack.

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said that charges against Dowdy included a charge under the state's dangerous dog law (Emily's Law) for the attack inflicted on Sheeks. Oliver said that charge will be upgraded to manslaughter due to her death. As of July 10, Dowdy was back behind bars after being arrested for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. After this arrest, the State of Alabama filed a motion to revoke her bond in her manslaughter case.

Michele Sheeks died of injuries due to dog attack

On July 12, Michele Sheeks died of complications from the dog attack injuries she sustained.

05/08/22: More Details Released
On April 29, an Alabama public health employee went to a dog owner's home on Crumpton Road at about 10:00 am to investigate a serious dog attack that occurred a day earlier involving at least six dogs. She was mauled and killed by these same vicious dogs, likely just after getting out of her vehicle. Authorities found Jacqueline Summer Beard's body after receiving reports of a suspicious vehicle at the home at 6:00 pm. Beard had been lying dead near her car for up to eight hours.

The owner of the dogs, Brandy Dowdy, 39, was arrested and charged with manslaughter and offenses under the state's dangerous dog law.

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver stated that a person living at the dog owner's residence is who called in the suspicious vehicle. "Around 6:00 pm we received a call from a person that lives in the house that there was a suspicious vehicle in the yard," Oliver said. "She was on the property of the people where the dogs belonged to," Sheriff Oliver said. "We're not able to confirm if they heard anything, the people at the house, or if they were even there [at the time]," Oliver said.

One day earlier, the same pack of dogs bolted off the Crumpton Road property and attacked a woman walking down nearby Highway 11 South. Michele Sheeks was airlifted to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo for treatment and then transferred to University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi. WAAY-TV reports that Sheeks is still hospitalized and will be for some time. Her husband, Wesley Sheeks, said the dogs jumped her all at once then drug her off the road.

"She had no idea they were there until they were on top of her," Wesley said. "They didn't come at her one at a time and just sort of tag team. They all jumped on her at once. They took her down and basically drug her probably about ten yards off the road, through a fire patch and barbed wire fence down in the edge of the pasture," he said. A neighbor first came to her aid that day, Wesley said. If the neighbor had not acted quickly, his wife might not be alive today, Wesley said.

The Red Bay News (who has since placed this article behind a pay wall), reports that Sheriff Oliver said it is believed Beard arrived at the home on Crumpton Road that morning at 10:00 am. "She went there to talk to the owners about putting the dogs up because they didn’t have their shots or signing them over to be euthanized," Sheriff Oliver said. Dowdy, who neighbors described as a "dog advocate" that "owned about 27 dogs," apparently was not home when Summer arrived.

After Sheeks was attacked by the dogs on April 28, Sheriff Oliver told The Red Bay News that when deputies and animal control went to the scene afterward, "the dogs that were there were friendly, and they petted them. There wasn't any problem." No information was provided about why the dogs remained on Dowdy's property after the first attack or what officials communicated to Dowdy, who not only possessed a pack of vicious dogs, but was potentially animal hoarding.

"ADPH investigates animal bites as part of its Environmental Health Program, due to potential risks for human rabies exposure. The safety of ADPH team members is paramount in day to day public health activities. Employees may, as part of their duties, carry out investigations or other visits individually. Employees may request and receive assistance with law enforcement, as needed." - Alabama Department of Public Health

Owner & Breeds Involved

Seven dogs believed to be involved in both attacks were euthanized, Sheriff Oliver said. The breeds of dogs involved have not been released. What is known is that Dowdy owns or has owned a pit bull in the past and that she is a pit bull advocate. In 2015, Dowdy and her then husband David acquired Rowdy, according to his Facebook page. The couple is no longer involved. It's unclear what became of Rowdy, or which partner took that dog after the two called it quits.

Dowdy's most recent public post about pit bulls was published on December 5, 2021, saying that pit bulls "have the biggest hearts and get treated the worst." On October 28, 2018 she posted a pit bull propaganda video by The Dodo -- "Pittie vs. very scary pineapple." On October 1, 2017, she posted a Pit Bull Awareness month meme. On May 19, 2017, Dowdy published a post, "If only people gave them a chance!! They are the most loving babies!! Stop breed discrimination!!"

City Discusses Pit Bulls

One month after the attacks involving Beard and Sheeks, Red Bay City Council began discussing the possibility of regulating pit bulls inside the city limits. "The topic was introduced during the council’s June 1 regular meeting, as Ordinance 20220615," reports the Franklin County Times. At that time, Red Bay Mayor Charlene Fancher stated that the new ordinance was in part due to the vicious attacks involving Beard and Sheeks, implying that pit bulls were involved in both attacks.

Red Bay Mayor Charlene Fancher said she wants everyone to understand the purpose of introducing an ordinance regulating the keeping and possession of pit bulls within the city limits.

“Just recently, the death and mauling of two women occurred as a result of a dog attack just outside the city limits -- and I mean just right out of the city limits,” Fancher emphasized. “The city experiences many incidents involving pit bull dogs.” - Franklin County Times

Fancher also wanted the new ordinance to address hoarding, another element involved in the Beard and Sheeks attacks. It was reported that Dowdy, who often advocated for pit bulls on her Facebook page, had 27 dogs on her property at the time of the fatal attacks. In March 2023, Fancher clarified pit bulls being involved in both attacks: “It started last summer when we had the horrific situation with the pit bulls,” she noted, referring to the attacks of Beard and Sheeks.

Brandy Dowdy pit bull owner and advocate

Brandy Dowdy is a longtime pit bull owner and advocate, according to her Facebook posts.

Alabama public health employee killed by dogs

Brandy Dowdy previously owned a family pit bull named "Rowdy" that was acquired in 2015.

04/30/22: Multiple Victims; One Dead
Franklin County, AL - On Thursday, April 28, 2022, a woman walking along Highway 11 South near Crumpton Road, close to the Mississippi border, was attacked by six dogs that bolted out of a nearby yard. She was transported to the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo then transferred to the University Medical Center in Jackson. The following day, the same dogs killed a state public health employee who had been trying to follow up with the owner of the dogs.

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a woman after a pack of dangerous dogs attacked her earlier today. Alabama Department of Public Health employee was following up on the dog attack from earlier this week when she was attacked by the same pack of dogs. The employee, Jacqueline Summer Beard, was located after someone called about a suspicious vehicle on Crumpton Road outside of Red Bay. When deputies arrived, they were met by residents on Crumpton road. Several dogs started attacking the residents when deputies were there, and one person received minor injuries. Some of the dogs had to be euthanized immediately. When the deputies started investigating the suspicious vehicle, they located the body of Jacqueline Beard. Franklin County Coroner Charlie Adcox was summoned and pronounced Beard deceased. Beard was following up on an incident that had been reported to Franklin County Animal Control where a lady was attacked by a pack of dogs earlier this week. It is believed that Beard was attacked as she was attempting to contact the dog’s owner when she was killed by the dogs. Investigators have arrested Brandy Dowdy for Manslaughter and Dangerous Dog law, (Emily’s Law). - Franklin County Sheriff's Office

The investigation into the second victim's attack began after someone called in a suspicious vehicle on Crumpton Road south of Red Bay. Arriving deputies were met by residents. As they gathered on the roadside, several dogs started attacking the residents. Multiple dogs were dispatched at the scene. When deputies began investigating the suspicious vehicle, they located the body of Jacqueline Summer Beard, 58, an Alabama Department of Public Health employee.

The owner of the dogs, Brandy Lee Dowdy, 39, was arrested and charged with manslaughter and violations of the state's Dangerous Dog law named after Emily Colvin. If a canine "attacks and causes serious physical injury or death to a person, and the owner of the dog had prior knowledge of the dangerous propensities of the dog, yet demonstrated a reckless disregard of the propensities under the circumstances, the owner of the dog shall be guilty of a Class C felony."

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the first victim, who has yet to be identified, remains hospitalized in Mississippi and was in "pretty serious condition." Seven dogs were involved in the attacks, according to Oliver, some were euthanized at the scene Friday. No dogs were seized by authorities after the first attack. No breed descriptions were released by authorities. Depending upon what investigators learn, Dowdy could be charged under Emily's Law for both attacks.

People are saying prayers for the first victim who remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

Brandy Lee Dowdy, 39, was charged with manslaughter after her pack of dogs killed a woman.

April 10 to April 29

Since April 10, at least eight people in the U.S. have been killed by dogs. All of these victims were adults, 38-years and older. At least five of the attacks involved multiple dogs and six deaths, 75%, involved females 42-years and older. In most of the attacks, 5 of 8, breed data was not released by police because the attacks were unwitnessed and the data was likely unknown, or in the Kewanee and Wichita cases, both male deaths, the breed data was apparently just withheld.

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