Post by Ashley on Sept 9, 2012 17:40:43 GMT -5
Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies are conducting an investigation into the death of a woman who was reportedly attacked by two dogs Friday night at a house on NCTR Road.
County Coroner Chad Kelley identified the victim as Deborah Renee Wilson, 45, who was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Kim Philips at 12:38 a.m. Saturday.
Sheriff’s Department Operations Commander Major Lafayette Woods Jr. said the incident occurred at about 11 p.m. at 100 NCTR Road, just off U.S. 365.
The initial investigation indicated that a male who lived in the house with Wilson and who was not immediately identified had walked next door to take care of hygiene issues and when he returned about 20 minutes later, saw Wilson in the doorway of the house with the dogs, described as pit bulls, around her.
The house did not have running water or utilities, Woods said.
Woods said the man tried to get in the house to assist Wilson but the dogs turned on him and would not allow him to enter, and he contacted the sheriff’s department.
“When deputies got there, the dogs wouldn’t allow them to get close either so Pine Bluff Animal Control was called to assist us,” Woods said.
An attempt to catch the larger dog was unsuccessful when the dog broke the cable noose wielded by the animal control employee and Woods said deputies had to kill that dog for the safety of everyone at the scene. The animal control employee was able to catch the other dog with the noose and he was taken into custody.
Woods said the initial investigation did not indicate that foul play was involved and the male at the house told deputies that Wilson had “medical issues.”
Kelley said the body was sent to the Arkansas State Medical Examiners Office at Little Rock Saturday for an autopsy to determine “cause and manner of death.”
“We’re going to continue looking into the incident and wait on the medical examiner’s ruling in this case,” Woods said.