Alabama public health employee killed by dogs; woman charged with manslaughter
A longtime employee of the Alabama Department of General public Health died Friday soon after she was attacked by a pack of puppies, the authorities claimed.
The Franklin County sheriff’s office identified the staff as Jacqueline Summer time Beard. She was 58 and lived in Muscle Shoals.
Deputies located her human body although investigating on Crumpton Road in a rural spot south of the northwest Alabama city of Crimson Bay, in the vicinity of the Mississippi point out line.
Beard was as an environmentalist supervisor in Franklin, Marion and Winston counties, in accordance to the ADPH. She worked for the well being division for practically 17 years.
“The Alabama Department of Public Wellness (ADPH) extends our deepest sympathy to the family members, friends, and colleagues of Summer months Beard, after her tragic passing,” Ryan Easterling, the director of the ADPH’s Wellbeing Media and Communications Division, stated in a assertion. “Summer was recognised to her coworkers as an remarkable particular person. She was a great crew employee and was beloved by those people who knew her.
“It is a very unhappy day for ADPH, and we inquire that every person regard the privateness of the household throughout this most challenging time.”
Shannon Oliver, the sheriff of Franklin County, explained to AL.com Beard was apparently in the area to stick to up on a canine assault that occurred before in the 7 days.
In that preceding attack, a pack of canines mauled a female while she was going for walks. Oliver claimed the female remains hospitalized in Mississippi.
“She was in quite really serious affliction,” he stated.
Authorities reported they consider Beard went to do her comply with-up stop by on Friday early morning. The well being office investigates animal bites due to probable challenges for human rabies publicity.
At about 6 p.m., deputies went to Crumpton Road to examine a report of a suspicious automobile and discovered Beard’s physique.
Although they have been on the scene, deputies stated, numerous of the same canine that attacked Beard and the other female began attacking neighborhood citizens. Just one human being suffered minor injuries.
“It is considered that Beard was attacked as she was trying to get hold of the dog’s operator when she was killed by the pet dogs,” the sheriff’s workplace mentioned in a statement.
Deputies arrested Brandy Dowdy, the owner of the dogs, and charged her with manslaughter. Franklin County jail information present the 39-calendar year-outdated is held without bail set.
Oliver explained there were being seven canine. Some have been euthanized instantly, in accordance to the sheriff’s office environment.
“The basic safety of ADPH staff users is paramount in day to day general public health things to do,” Easterling advised AL.com in a statement. “Employees may well, as aspect of their obligations, have out investigations or other visits separately. Employees could request and acquire guidance with regulation enforcement, as required.”
Correction: An earlier edition of this story improperly said Dowdy’s age.
Editor’s observe: This tale was up-to-date at 12:02 p.m. to insert a statement from ADPH. It was current all over again at 4:21 p.m. with an added statement from ADPH.
