An Alabama man is fighting for his life and may lose multiple limbs after being attacked by seven dogs while walking to his mailbox.
Eighty-one-year-old Jamie Boyd was mauled on September 24 in Bibb County by dogs allegedly owned by his neighbors, William and Lacey Mitchell, according to local news outlet WBRC. Boyd’s wife tried to intervene but fell while using her walker during the struggle.
When police arrived, Brent Police Chief Carl McMillan fired at one of the dogs that appeared to be targeting Mrs. Boyd. “I don’t know if I hit him or not. He didn’t holler out, but they took off running,” McMillan told the outlet.
Following the attack, a lawsuit was filed against William, 53, and Lacey Mitchell, 50. They were later indicted by a Bibb County grand jury on October 3. Both face charges under Emily’s Law — an Alabama statute addressing owners of dogs that cause serious injury — including one count of control of dangerous dogs.
Boyd suffered catastrophic injuries, including the loss of half his muscle tissue and severe damage to his scalp, according to WBRC. He remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at UAB Hospital.
“He is facing amputation of his arm and potentially his leg to stop a spreading infection, and the family seeks prayers from the community,” said Boyd’s attorney, Paul Patterson, one month after the incident.
Patterson told the outlet that the dogs involved were a mix of pit bulls and pit bull crosses. Court documents cited by WBRC show that the Mitchells were aware of the dogs’ violent tendencies prior to the attack. Both defendants have entered not guilty pleas and signed waivers of arraignment.
“This is one of the most tragic dog mauling attacks I’ve seen in decades of civil practice,” Patterson said, describing the incident as a “brutal and devastating mauling.”
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He added that Alabama lawmakers should revisit Emily’s Law to increase penalties for owners who display “reckless disregard” for public safety. “If a court has not declared the dog vicious previously, then the punishment is — in my opinion — not as severe as it should be,” Patterson said.
All seven dogs have been seized and are being held at the Bibb County Animal Facility. The Mitchells were released from jail on $5,000 bond each, according to local reports. Their arraignment is scheduled for early December.
