The owner of a pit bull that bit a 73-year-old woman several times Wednesday morning has been charged with a felony for letting the animal roam, Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson said.
Patty Debusk was walking on Maryland Circle near Dockery Lane when the female pit bull attacked and bit her in multiple places, a news release stated. Debusk was taken to SkyRidge Medical Center for treatment.
Watson said the dog’s owner, Tammy Lynette Morales, 38, of Alton Avenue, had been warned previously to keep the dog restrained.
Watson said his office has noted a rash of recent dog attacks, and he added that Bradley County has no animal control service.
He said his officers are answering seven to 11 calls per day regarding dogs at large, but all they can do is attempt to find a dog’s owner and warn that person.
Tammy Lynette Morales, 38, of Alton Avenue, The owner of a pit bull that bit a 73-year-old woman several times Wednesday morning, has been charged with a felony for letting the animal roam, Bradley County Sheriff Eric Watson said.“If they fail to restrain their dogs as the law requires and we respond a second time, the owner of the animal will receive a written citation and be charged with a Class C (Dog-At-Large) misdemeanor,” he said.
“If a dog bites or attacks someone and causes bodily injury, the owner will be arrested and charged with a Class E (Dog-At-Large) felony.
“It is only a matter of time until someone else is attacked, maimed and possibly killed by dog,” Watson said.
He added that the County Commission asked him for recommendations for an animal control service.