WINSTON-SALEM, NC (WFMY) - Several dogs attacked a woman in Winston-Salem Monday morning.
Forsyth Animal Services confirm a woman was attacked on the 1200 block of E. Sprague Street near Peachtree Street by an undetermined amount of dogs. Authorities say the woman had dog bites on her head and limbs and was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. As of Tuesday evening, neighbors reported that the woman had returned home from the hospital and was recovering.
The incident was caught on surveillance video. As the woman is being attacked a neighbor rushes to rescue her and throws a pursue at the four dogs seen in the video.
*Warning Video Could Be Graphic*
A man authorities said they identified as the owner of the dogs was charged with Assault and Inflicting Serious Injury and fined $3700.
Ken Byrd, 45, lives across the street from where the dogs attacked the woman. Byrd, however, disputed the claim and tells WFMY that the dogs do not belong to him.
"Basically, they were stray dogs roaming around the neighborhood, they run around all the time. They are not my dogs I saw the commotion and I came outside after the fact and helped with the situation. The dogs ran off and came across the yard around my backyard," said Byrd.
Byrd said when he ran out to help with the situation across the street, his dog who was inside, followed him outside.
"I helped them catch two of the dogs that were involved in it, or what I was told was involved in it when they ran to my backyard. I feel like I have been a scapegoat for this situation. I have a dog, my dog is blonde, she is a pitbull but my dog is nowhere in the video, my dog didn't go over and my dog was not involved in the incident." Byrd says he plans to fight all the charges to clear his name.
11 dogs (six puppies and five full-grown) were relocated at the Forsyth Humane Society. Forsyth County Animal control says it will continue to investigate.
In the meantime, officials are reminding folks about the laws
"People need to understand their responsibility to their dogs. You can't turn your dogs lose, you are responsible for the dog. There are ordinances in a city that the dog has to be under control at all times," said Lt. David Morris with Forsyth County Animal Control.
The City of Winston-Salem requires pets to be on leashes with their owners when they are off property and be supervised when they are off-leash, on their owner's property. Tethering is banned in Forsyth County. A dog may only be tied out if the owner or caretaker is hunting or camping. Fees for violation start at $50.
See Forsyth County Ordinance on Animals Here
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