Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Dog Bite Causes Serious Injury

On 11-21-06 Texarkana Arkansas Police Officers and Animal Services Officers responded to a report of a dog bite that had just occurred in the 100 block of Artesian Street. Upon arrival to the scene officers discovered the victim, Kathy Walker (w/f/40 Texarkana, AR), laying on the ground near the carport of the residence. The vicitm was bleeding profusely.

The victim had been bitten severely all over her body by as many as 5 dogs who were still on the premesis. A nearby resident had come to the aid of the victim and was able to keep the dogs at bay until police arrived.

Officers were attempting to tend to the victim's injuries, but were unable to due to the presence of an aggressive male shepherd-mix dog that was still in the yard. This particular dog charged the officers as they attempted to deal with the victim and it was subsequently shot and killed.

The victim was taken to Wadley Hospital with serious injuries, but was able to give officers an account of what had taken place. She advised that she lives near the yard where the dogs were kept. One of the male dogs had attempted to carry a puppy away and she was able to pick up the puppy and return it to the yard. When she did this the mother dog attacked which prompted all of the other dogs to attack. The victim's condition is unknown at this time, but she is expected to recover.

Five adult dogs and two puppies were confiscated from the residence by Animal Services Officers. Tests will be performed to determine any illnesses that the dogs may have had. The property owner was identified as William Wyatt (w/m/85 Texarkana, AR). Wyatt was cited for several violations regarding no rabies tags and keeping too many dogs at his residence.

Citizens are reminded that the City Ordinance states that all dogs are required to have city tags and proof of rabies vaccination. No more than 4 adult dogs may be kept at a residence inside the city limits of Texarkana Arkansas.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.