Animals attacked an Almont Township woman in February
LAPEER — Two dogs that attacked a 51-year-old Almont Twp. woman on Feb. 14, 2020, will remain sheltered at a facility until mid-November.
The pair of Caucasian Ovcharka Shepherd dogs were among three dogs running loose that afternoon, when they charged the Glover Road resident, knocking her to the ground and repeatedly biting her leg, arm and stomach.
At the time, Lapeer County Prosecutor Mike Sharkey authorized criminal charges against the dogs’ owner, Gregory Messer, 64, of Almont Township.
The fate of the animals (possibly euthanasia) was to have been decided by Lapeer District Judge Laura Barnard on Thursday, Oct. 8.
However, a final determination will now have to wait until other witnesses are heard by the court.
Sharkey said testimony of only one witness took place on Thursday, with others to be called at a later date.
“Other witnesses will testify at the adjourned court date of Friday, November 13,” Sharkey said. “No decision has been made by the court as to the disposition of the dogs.”
He added that both dogs will remain at a shelter, pending the court’s decision.
On Feb. 14, Lapeer County Animal Control Director Dave Eady and Officer Rachel Zender joined Almont Officer Ryan Wilson at the scene, and they also feared being attacked by the dogs.
At one point, Officer Wilson shot the dominant dog to protect himself and others from serious injury.
That animal was transported to a veterinary clinic in Romeo and euthanized.
Upon hearing of the attack on the woman, an Almont man reported that he had been bitten by one of the dogs in late October of 2018.
“That individual was bit and suffered a serious injury, but only reported the attack after learning of the recent attack,” Sharkey said.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
