Local

Multiple dogs removed after Springfield woman attacked

Update@6 p.m.:

The owner of dogs who attacked a woman in Springfield on Tuesday says they’ve never bitten anyone before.

Krystal Williams wasn’t home when her two dogs jumped the fence of her home on the 1400 block of South Fountain Avenue and attacked a woman, Williams said, but she was shocked that it happened.

“My dogs are not vicious dogs,” she said.

Keisha Baker, 40, was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center at about 2 a.m. Tuesday after she suffered a bad gash on her leg, Springfield Police Chief Stephen Moody said.

Neighbor Trixie Watts called police when she heard screams for help.

“She started screaming, “Help me! Help me!’” Watts said. “And I immediately looked out the window and saw that the dogs were attacking, and went and called 911.”

Baker was staying at Williams’ home, Williams said, but she told her to stay out of the yard.

“There should have been no reason why she was in my yard,” she said.

Her dog was probably trying to protect its puppies, she said.

“It was late at night, and it’s a stranger coming in their territory,” Williams said.

The Clark County Humane Society removed seven dogs from Williams’ property. Williams said she owns two dogs, one of which recently had puppies. She’s been trying to find homes for the puppies, she said.

Watts hasn’t had problems with the dogs before, she said, although they have gotten out in the past.

“We’ve never had any incident with them growling or carrying on,” Watts said. “But I have seen them and when I do see them, I tell them to go home.”

The dogs usually listen, she said.

Williams said she was told the dogs would be quarantined for 10 days. She’s hopeful she’ll be able to bring the dogs home after that, she said.

Baker was listed in good condition at Springfield Regional Medical Center as of Tuesday afternoon, a spokesman for the hospital said.

The Clark County Humane Society said it would not comment on what will happen with the dogs because of an ongoing investigation.

First report:

Springfield police said a woman suffered several injuries after two dogs hopped a fence and attacked her Tuesday morning.

Police and medics were requested to the 1400 block of South Fountain Avenue around 2 a.m. on reports of at least one dog attacking a woman.

Officers said the woman suffered injuries to her legs and hands and was transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center for treatment. Her condition was not available.

Witnesses described the scene as full of blood and screaming from the victim. “She was just laying on the ground crying and screaming,” Annie Patrick said, who witnessed the attack from inside a nearby home. “When I came out she was yelling for me to help.”

Patrick said the dogs were known to neighbors to escape the yard and would often tear up trash set out by homeowners.

Police said seven dogs, including three puppies, were located in the yard of the home and were removed by animal control officers. The breeds of the dogs is unknown, but two were believed to be pit bulls, according to police.

Officers added they haven’t been able to contact and talk with the owner of the dogs.

As for neighbors, Patrick said she’s concerned about the dogs returning to the home.

“You’d think a dog attack would happen during the day because most dogs are in the house at night. But the chick who owns them is nowhere to be found,” Patrick said.

It was unknown if the owner of the dogs would face charges for the attack.

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