Tag Archives: Emily’s Law

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

36
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. Dog Owner Found Guilty Update 11/14/25: After years of delays in the criminal trial of Brandy Dowdy, 42, in connection to the dog mauling deaths of two women in 2022, a Frankiln County jury was seated on November 3, 2025. The case had been delayed 15 times since the indictments were issued in August 2022. Dowdy was charged with two co… [Read full blog post]

2017 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bulls Kill 24-Year Old Woman in Jackson County, Alabama

Alabama Legislature Passes, "Emily's Law" After Her Death After pit bulls killed Emily Mae Colvin, the Alabama legislature passed "Emily's Law." Criminal Charges UPDATE 04/05/18: The owners of five pit bulls that killed a 24-year old woman in early December have been charged with criminally negligent homicide, a misdemeanor. A Jackson County grand jury indicted Brian Keith Graden, 43, and Melody Ann Graden, 45, in connection to the death of Emily Mae Colvin. Both were bo… [Read full blog post]