Locals react after 15-year-old girl is killed in Saline County dog attack

Yahoo

a day ago

SALINE COUNTY, Ark. — A 15-year-old girl was attacked and killed by multiple dogs Wednesday morning while assisting with the care of animals at a property reportedly housing more than 30 dogs.
The girl was killed at a residence near the intersection of Barth and White Oak Streets, a home neighbors say had long been the subject of complaints and concerns.
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According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office, which arrived on scene around 12:15 pm, the girl, whose name has not been released, was helping feed and care for the dogs, who were being housed at the location as part of a rescue.' Something she had reportedly done often, when she was attacked in the front yard.
The Saline County Sheriff's Office confirmed the animals involved in the attack have been seized with the help of Benton Animal Control.
The neighborhood, already wary of the dogs, is now mourning what many describe as a preventable death.
Residents say complaints about the animals, which included numerous mixed-breed dogs, date back months, if not years.
'These dogs were very vicious at the fence to the point that people didn't want to let their children walk to and from the bus stop,' said neighbor Heidi Clay. 'They looked hungry, full of fleas, malnourished. This is by far not a dog rescue.'
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Clay, whose father lives nearby, described the property as a dog-hoarding situation, not a legitimate rescue operation. She also stated that the girl and her mother had been given permission to help care for the animals.
'This beautiful young girl lost her life because these people do not properly take care of their dogs,' Clay said. 'She wasn't trespassing. She was trying to help.'
Neighbor Ralph Murphy said he returned home to find deputies on scene and described a chilling scene as authorities worked to secure the property.
'The sheriff's deputy came up to the fence and a whole bunch of dogs ran up to him. He fired two warning shots into the ground,' Murphy said. 'Then he walked about ten feet onto the property, shook his head and walked back out. I looked and saw a body on the ground.'
Murphy, like Clay, says the community had repeatedly raised concerns with law enforcement about the aggressiveness of what he called 'the unrestrained dogs.'
'Saline County said there was nothing they could do. But it's clear there was something they could do, they're doing it now,' Murphy said. 'It's a shame that some tragedy has to happen before our government responds.'
Residents estimate the number of dogs on the property may have exceeded 40, including puppies. Some neighbors said law enforcement had previously told them to shoot the dogs if they came onto private property. Saline County does not have a countywide animal control department.
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At this time, there has been no confirmation on whether the owners of the dogs will face criminal charges. Neighbors say they've reported past incidents of the dogs attacking other pets and threatening people in the area.
'Too little, too late?' Clay asked. 'Yes. She's gone. Someone should have stepped up and done something. It's unacceptable how this little girl lost her life.'
The Saline County Sheriff's Office has not released further details pending an ongoing investigation.
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