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By ActionNewsJax.com News Staff January 23, 2026 at 4:15 pm EST CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident involving two deputies after they were hospitalized following a dog attack on Thursday afternoon, says the sheriff’s office. According to CCSO, deputies were called to the 300 block of Foxtail Avenue in Middleburg at 6:15 p.m. due to reports of a verbal disturbance and gunshots heard in the area. Deputies say they heard a woman yelling inside a vehicle on the property and were met by a woman and three large-breed dogs after approaching. Deputy Riley was attacked by one of the dogs. He struck and killed the dog after he attempted to escape. CCSO says he sustained serious injuries. The woman, identified as Vichelle Rigney, charged at deputies and made verbal threats. Deputies Megowan and Engelthaler detained Rigney while trying to shield Deputy Riley from the other dogs. Rigney was arrested for Resisting Law Enforcement … [Read more...]
El Paso passes new rules for ‘aggressive,’ ‘vicious’ dogs
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso City Council voted Tuesday to adopt two new ordinances aimed at preventing dog attacks and improving safety for residents, pets and Animal Protection Officers. During the Jan. 20 meeting, council members approved adding two new classifications — Aggressive Dogs and Vicious Dogs — to the city’s animal laws. Representatives Cynthia Boyar Trejo and Lily Limón were absent from the vote. City officials said the changes are designed to close gaps in existing ordinances, particularly involving animal-to-animal attacks and dogs that pose a risk while roaming freely. “This was designed with that gap of the law in mind for animal-to-animal exposures,” Assistant City Attorney Carlos L. Armendariz said. “We designed it to keep our pets and community safe from animals that have negative tendencies or behaviors.” FULL STORY … [Read more...]
Women found guilty of manslaughter & criminally negligent homicide, two women were attacked by a pack of dogs a day apart and both women ultimately died
Published: Jan. 6, 2026 at 7:15 PM EST FRANKLIN CO., Ala. (WAFF) - A sentencing hearing in the case of a woman convicted in two deadly dog maulings will now be rescheduled. Back in 2022, the two women were attacked by a pack of dogs a day apart and both women ultimately died. This, after people were left waiting all day when her attorney did not show up. Originally, Brandy Dowdy’s sentencing hearing was set for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, but now it’s having to be rescheduled. After hours of waiting, the judge over the case called everyone into the courtroom about 4:30 p.m. to provide an update. The judge said that Dowdy’s attorney had a medical emergency happen Tuesday morning and had to get treatment. FULL NEWS VIDEO The Franklin County Assistant District Attorney says this is frustrating for the victims’ families as most of them traveled from very far, including Washington state for this hearing. Family members of Summer Beard and Michelle Sheeks are beyond frustrated with … [Read more...]
Ensuring Safety Around Dogs During the Holidays
Kids Are Home for the Holidays** • With children around, the risk of unintentional dog escapes increases, as they might inadvertently let the dog out while you're on the property. An Increase in Dogs in Your Service Areas • The holiday season brings friends and family visiting with their dogs, which means you’ll encounter more dogs in the yards you service. Unpredictable Behavior of Visiting Dogs • It’s crucial to remember that you cannot predict how these visiting dogs will react when interacting with your customers' pets. Potential Dangers Posed by Children • Children might come outside with an aggressive dog, escalating the risk of a dangerous encounter. Always Carry a Protective Tool • Dogs instinctively bite whatever they encounter first. For your safety, always carry a protective item, such as a dog stick or a pop action umbrella, instead of using your hands, arms, or legs. This is especially important near major arteries, ligaments, tendons, and … [Read more...]
Postal worker airlifted to hospital after dog attack in South Carolina Attack happened on worker’s route in Newberry County
By Luke Tucker Published: Oct. 17, 2025 at 7:22 AM ED NEWBERRY, S.C. (WBTV) - A postal worker in South Carolina was airlifted to the hospital after she was attacked by a dog while on her route late last week. The attack happened Saturday, Oct. 11, on Pope Street in Newberry County. Sister-station WIS reported that a pit bull attacked the woman, which caused her to rush back to her mail truck with the dog still after her. Once she got back in the vehicle, she called 911. After first responders arrived, she was found with severe injuries, and a decision was made to airlift her to the hospital. “She had injuries to her upper body and to her lower body,” Newberry County Sheriff Lee Foster told WIS. “I guess if there’s anything that could be blessed, is they didn’t get to her head.” WIS reported that a second dog was also at the attack scene, but was not believed to have been involved. Still, both dogs were being quarantined, with the owner’s cooperation. The sheriff … [Read more...]
ASSP Article July 2025 OCCUPATIONAL DOG BITE SAFETY Tips for Preventing Dog Bites in the Workplace By Mitzi Robinson
Read Full Story! ASSP Article ODBS VPRobinson_0725 … [Read more...]
Shelter worker mauled to death by 2 rescue dogs in Mississippi
News out of Mississippi© USA TODAY An animal shelter employee was mauled to death by two dogs rescued from a dog-fighting ring in Mississippi, according to multiple reports, citing local police and officials. Clifford Phillips Jr., 57, died July 18 as he attempted to put a dog in a pen, which already had another dog in it at the Second Chance Animal Alliance in Water Valley, about 85 miles south of Memphis. "A dog was already in a pen, and he was trying to put another dog in there, and the other dog tried to run out, and he tried to hold him off with his foot and that dog grabbed his leg, pulled him down," Woods told the media outlet. "And then the other dog jumped in with him." Second Chance Animal Alliance 'devastated by this loss' While it is unclear what provoked the dogs into attacking Phillips, the shelter, mourned the employee's death and said it was "devastated by this loss." Phillips had worked at the shelter for two years, according to WREG. The shelter said … [Read more...]
FedEx worker may lose her leg following ‘vicious’ dog attack while walking to work!
PORTLAND, Ore. KGW.COM A 68-year-old Fed Ex Worker is recovering in the hospital after being attacked by a dog while walking to work near Northeast 7th and Broadway on March 27 in Portland. The woman has now undergone three surgeries after her leg was severely injured in the attack, by what Multnomah County said was a pit bull. The victim, Javonnie Johnson, claims that the dog was owned by a homeless person. Her daughter, LaShunda Johnson, expressed her relief over her mother's survival in an interview on Wednesday, saying she was just happy her mother was alive. The Portland Police Bureau stated in their incident report that a friend of the dog's owner intervened to stop the attack. Upon arriving at the scene, officers requested the assistance of Multnomah County Animal Services, who seized the dog. Attorney Alexander Cambier, with Kafoury and McDougal, outlined the steps for those who find themselves in similar situations. "Best thing to do, obviously, is after … [Read more...]
As dog attacks rise, San Francisco struggles to hold owners accountable
Canine aggression is trending up to pre-pandemic heights, exacting a devastating toll on victims. So why are fewer cases ending up in dog court? By Jennifer Wadsworth Yuko Murakami upended her entire routine after an ambush by an unleashed rottweiler left her hospitalized for nearly a week and her pit bull Buck fearful of other dogs. Murakami, a UCSF nurse anesthetist, spent six days in the hospital and $12,000 on out-of-pocket medical bills to stitch up her torn calf and surgically treat an infection from the bite on her hand. She spent another $1,000 — and counting — on a dog behaviorist to learn how to manage her now-skittish canine companion. It took months after the mauling last fall in Potrero Hill for Murakami to venture out alone with Buck again. Dog parks are now out. Off-leash isn’t an option. Busy streets are an obstacle course of triggers for Buck, a 70-pound rescue whose newly anxious disposition — if unaddressed — could render him as dangerous as the dog who … [Read more...]
I may have been dead’: Feral dogs blamed for multiple attacks in TX community where neighbors feel helpless
I may have been dead’: Feral dogs blamed for multiple attacks in Cleveland,TX community where neighbors feel helpless. LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas – People who live in a Cleveland community say they are in fear for their lives and feel shut in. They say about two and a half months ago, stray dogs began to take over their neighborhood on Rd 5203. Expert shares tips to protect against aggressive dogs after 4 attacks in Greater Houston area in past month Two of the most recent attacks happened on Thanksgiving Day. A woman who asked not to be identified says her cousin was trying to help a delivery driver from being attacked when the pack of dogs turned on him. He was left with multiple bruises and bite marks. “I don’t have a life, I can’t go out, I’m constantly scared about leaving my house. Coming home at night I have to stay in my car for 35 minutes to an hour to make sure these dogs are not anywhere around,” the woman said. Across the street a woman named Emily Curtis says she … [Read more...]
