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Guilty Plea in Dog Attack
(WSB Radio) A Gwinnett County woman has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from her dogs attack on a jogger in her neighborhood.
Sandra Woodyard will never be allowed to own dogs again, she'll serve 30 months on probation and pay a fine of $500. Her five dogs, four boxers and a dachshund, got out of her yard last week and attacked Rob Young as he was running.
"I think in total I had about 50 bites and additional cuts and lacerations on my arms, my legs. About the only part that was spared was my back, and luckily they didn't knock me down so they didn't get to my face," he says.
Even more astonishing to Young was that there were two previous documented attacks by Woodyard's dogs and neighbors say there's at least two more undocumented ones.
But that is no longer an issue, after the judge in the case ruled that Woodyard can never own a dog again.
"I'm at their mercy," Woodyard said after the case was over. "I did wrong. My dogs got out. There's not much more I can say."
In addition to the penalty against Woodyard, two of her five dogs will be put down and the other three will be put up for adoption.
Young was satisfied with the outcome of the case.
"It's pretty much what I wanted," he says. "Make sure the dogs were gone and make sure there are no more dogs. And, from what I understand, that's the ruling. As long as she's there, there are no other dogs at that property."
Young was joined by about 30 other residents of the Hannary Estates neighborhood in the courtroom.
What others are saying
- may god blessmay he bless everyone involved, and all you people posting comments that don't know what you are talking about. You are right, there are toddlers who stayed in that home with all of those animals, with nary an incident. It was a freak accident and I am desperately praying for peace for all involved.
- Dog AttacksI am a dog lover and I have 5 dogs. Four of them are large breed dogs with the largest being an 85 pound Labradane/Boxer. All were rescues, all had some behavior problems when I rescued them. Problems ranged from counter surfing to food aggression to disobedience. All are perfect sweet hearts now. Dog behavior problems are almost always the owners fault. I hope someone like me will rehab the three dogs allowed to live.
I wonder if the person who thinks that the jogger should have had the good judgment to turn around also thinks that a child should have the same good judgment. A three year old child in Southern Illinois recently was killed by a dog because neighbors tolerated a bad dog. The boy opened the window to his ground floor bedroom and went out alone in the middle of the night. His parents had no idea that he was out. Thank you to everyone who helped rescue these dogs from a bad owner and prevented any child from being harmed in the future. - Wow, "Ignorant" "Chucklehead" "Got what he deserved" all used to to describe a good man that this poster does not even know. Even more amazing it seems that this person has no knowledge of the facts of the case. It seems that in addition to being mean and uncaring this writer is also a mouth breathing moron with anger issues toward anyone who uses a public road to run on. One can only speculate as to what dark forces might drive such ignorance and hatred.
- By Boxer; Are you a complete idiot?Are you a complete idiot?
By saying "doesn't some blame need to be placed on the moron that ran up on them rather than simply turning around on his jog" you sound like a complete fool?
The man is simply doing his daily jog and these dogs jump the fence and attack him. The dogs can run four times as fast as a man. Turning around and leaving is not much of an option. From what I've learned these dogs have attacked people four times before. I've owned boxers and other dogs. I know they can be dangerous. "He didn't need stitches". What kind of stupid defense is that? Did you not see the pictures of this mans injuries? Stiches would have increased the risk of infection.
And then you compound your stupidity by saying "Next time, rather than being a jackass- turn around when you see Killer, T-Vick, Shorty and Mack-Teeth staring you down from THEIR yard. (Oh, let's please not note in this story that the dogs were in their yard until chucklehead decided to run by)" Wow what an Idiot. Please, tell us all where you live so we can all stay away from your house. - This is from the SAME house with adult-aged children hitting golf balls into adjoining yards - without concern of damage or safety. Maybe the kids will be next.
- BoxersIt's awful that this happened. I'm sorry for the people who have been hurt. I have no explanation for this situation, but can say that my kids have been around these very dogs since they were puppies and have I have never seen any aggression. It baffles me. The judge's decision is understandable. Hopefully, the mama boxer's puppies can be spared. She is one of the dogs scheduled to be euthanized. It is good that the neighborhood will feel safer, this family has now lost 5 dogs who were loved very much. The safety of people must come first. It's just sad sad sad.
- It's the Judge Stupid!This same dog owner stood before the same judge in the past for the same outrage and yet this judge let this women endanger and terrorize this community AGAIN! Yes this dog owner is at fault but who is suppose to enforce the laws to protect us?!?! $500 fine what a joke! The dog owner spent more on food and care on these animals in a year or less; she won't even realize any financial impact. WE NEED ANIMAL CONTROL LAWS AND ANGENCIES TO PROTECT HUMANS IN A SOCIAL SOCIETY. SO SICK OF PEOPLE WITH PETS WHO MAKE LIFE IN OUR HUMAN COMMUNITIES SO UNCOMFORTABLE!
- Boxer LoverBoxer Lover~
You sound like a TOTAL JACKASS!! Uh, hello..... the bottom line is ABIDE BY THE LEASH LAW !! There is no other version of the story to be told!! Since you THINK you're so commonsensical.....I hope YOU lock up your dogs properly - JACKASS !! - dog attackFirst of all, you don't know the dogs so therefore you don't have the right to say they are vicious and on top of that all they were doing was protecting themselves. If a dog doesn't know WHO YOU ARE then obviously they are going to protect themselves much less their family. And Rob on the other hand should have never turned his back onto a dog who in their right mind would turn on dogs that they don't know...? Ok yeah, there can't be any other dogs at that particular address ok that's fine...whatever but who in their right mind would have THE NERVE to put a pregnant dog to sleep and not let her have the puppies? I'm sorry that just confuses me. And just because they were boxers you can't assume that all boxers are vicious and to get another thing straight how about you get your story straight before you put it on here so the public can see.
Hope you have a good day. - Shame on the Owners, Judge and the People who blame the JoggerI am amazed at this story. I live within a mile of the subdivision and I heard this story on WSB Radio this evening. I was surprised by the story but I was shocked at the owners, the judge and now the people who blame the runner/victim.
I can promise the owner never took responsibility to get these dogs trained properly. On top of it, she gets 4 because they will all be friends. Left in a backyard with energy not being used is a recipe for disaster. You have to exercise dogs. Them sitting in the backyard is not exercise it is prison. You have to socialize them and lead them to what is right and what is wrong.
What is wrong with the judge ? $ 500 fine and she can't own dogs again. How about make her pay for the medical bills ? How about community service ? I believe she do something to payback the community she allowed her animals to disrupt.
To the posters here who blame the jogger. There is something very wrong with your thought process. This man did nothing more than jog in the street. No one should ever have to fear doing this. What if it was a kid on a bike or skateboard ? Is it the childs fault as well ? Are you saying if a street gang shows up on my street and I don't turn around and walk away they can stab and cut me ?
If you own boxers you should realize that a great deal of training and owner leadership is the only way to keep control of them. Neighbors of ours lost their beloved Boxer a few months ago. They walked their dog every morning for long walks, they kept their dog in the fence. I never saw their dog running free and chasing joggers. They were great Boxer and dog owners. The owner in question was not. - BoxersI also live in the neighbor and you people have been after this family for years. Not only because of the dogs. I have dogs myself and can't walk down Bruce because your dogs are out as you water the lawn!!! Yes this is a bad situation and mainly for Rob and the dogs. The older dog Sarge is being put to sleep tomorrow....Wrong....The pregnant dog Shay is due anyday with pups, She is to be put to sleep also tomorrow at Killian Animal Clinic Hospital...Wrong again. I do agree there is a problem but not with the animals. This family has lived in this home and actually built every home you live in....Hannary Estates.
The house has been flooded with young men having a good time for years, even your own kids, I know.
As far as the attack in 2007 you failed to say you were also walking a dog.
Why do you even own one?
Once again sorry for Rob and the dogs but please, Hannary clean out your own nose and tell the truth as you drive slowly through your neighborhood then turn the corner and fly through mine! - BoxersI'm so sorry for the people who have been hurt. I just can't believe this happened. My kids have grown up around those very dogs dogs. I'm sad that that the mama dog and her puppies will be killed. I'm glad that the neighbors will feel safe. It's just a sad and regrettable situation.
- none of you have your facts straight, at all
- MY AUNT'S DOGSFirstly, let me say that I was there the day of the attack, there is a 9 foot privacy fence that was left open. It in no way justifies this happening to anyone. The man came to the house and spoke with Sandra and was offered a ride to the hospital, which he refused. The neigbors should also know that these are not vicios dogs, and one of the animals being "put down" is a 2 year old that is pregnant, and she will be euthanized along with her unborn puppies. The man said he didn't even know which dog(s) bit him, and was nice as could be. Some people forget that animals have rights as well. If I go bite a person and am pregnant (even tho NO ONE is sure she had a thing to do with it) i wouldn't be killed! There where suitible homes prepared for all of the dogs, out of Gwinnett County and away from Hanarry Estates. I must also say that my 5 and 4 year old children have been around these animals for their entire lives and the dogs have never even so much as snapped at them. Whomever felt it was their business to brodcast this to the media is heartless and cruel, and I pray to God to have mercy on the souls of all involved. Everyone is devestated and terrible troubled my the event. The man who was bitten was very nice and everyone is severely troubled by what happened to him. No one should have to endure that, and once again I would like to add that I am in no way excusing anything that happened, just know, all of you "neighbors" just made damned sure that a family who just buried a family member yesterday is now having to bury 2 of their animals as well. Also, the first home in that neighborhood was built by this family, and the rest where built by another Uncle. The neighborhood is even named after the family. I jsut hope everyone can sleep well and pray that their animals never get out on accident and do that. It was an accident, but what is done is done. Just get your facts straight.
- dogsTo "Get a Grip," it doesn't matter if your dogs were in their yard. Human beings have a right to run past any yard they want to, and the animals are still not allowed to bite them. You're the one who needs to get a grip. Animals are wonderful, but animals who hurt people can't be loose in neighborhoods. Who taught these dogs to attack? Why have attack dogs? Basic common sense.
- Let me get this straightMs. Reporter- you're implying that there was a pack of burly dogs roaming the streets of this neighborhood and chased Mr. Young down?
Your reporting tactics are asinine and ignorant. Those 'close' to the situation would know that Mr. Young initially reported that he ran up on the dogs and paused, ensuring that they were okay, and then saw an additional three join the group, once again within the yard, at which point he turned and ran away.
Now, if Mr. Young changed his story for newsworthiness then I suppose he's the one to blame- yet again. After multiple experiences with Boxers from all over, and from all different households, I have NEVER ran into a Boxer that isn't skiddish of 'outsiders'. My Boxer will absolutely run away from a stranger until that stranger approaches me or his personal space, at which point he goes on the defensive like any good dog should.
You failed to report that small children live in the same household without incident (surprise! kids living with dogs).
Rather than reporting the story as it actually happened and leaving it open to interpretation, WSB has slanted this story and put another burden on people who actually trust in news sources to sort through the garbage and what's legit. - Absolutely fantastic to have our neighborhood safe againI have been driving my daughter to her friend's house for the last two years so that she did not have to walk, or ride her bike, by this house and possibly encounter those dogs. Such a HUGE relief to know our neighborhood is safe again! My sympathies to the victims and many thanks to all Hanarry residents who helped to finally put a stop to these ongoing dog issues.
- Stories are going to be flying around because the only one that knows the right story is Rob. Yes he runs the same route everyday and he has not seen the dogs because they have been in their own yard behind a fence, where they should be. But when he saw the first two, he stood there and said that they seemed ok. Then the other three came, BUT why would anyone continue to run away from the dogs when they have already seen them out. Why not walk away from them...not run, becuase that just seems like your running from the dogs...which will get them in "pack" mode and make them attack.
- To "get a grip", Rob didn't run up on the dogs. The first two ran after him as he was jogging. Then the other three ran up and joined in. He runs the same route daily and had never seen the dogs before. In two of the three documented attacks, the dogs got out of the fence and attacked those in the road.
- Thank youThank you, Rob Young, for making me feel safe to walk our lovely streets again. Completely disregard those nasty comments made by Mr. Boxer Lover, the first person who posted. You're my hero for fixing the dangerous situation we had here in our beautiful neighborhood.
- Get a GripLet me preface this- it is wrong to not maintain control of your animals and ensure that they are supervised and stay in a fenced in area, if for nothing else the safety of the animal.
However, what half-way sensible human being runs up on 4 or 5 unfamiliar dogs? Much less an intimidating looking breed like the boxer. Once we get past the fact that the dogs should not have been outside of their fence, doesn't some blame need to be placed on the moron that ran up on them rather than simply turning around on his jog? I don't know about you, and judging from some of the comments already posted- most of you probably don't share the same level of common sense, but I am not running up on a pack of 4 boxers that I don't know. At what point do we look at the human error of a situation (again, recognizing the first human error being the dogs let out of the fence), and realize that the guy probably got what he deserved if he's going to be ignorant enough to run past a pack of unfamiliar dogs.
Next time, rather than being a jackass- turn around when you see Killer, T-Vick, Shorty and Mack-Teeth staring you down from THEIR yard. (Oh, let's please not note in this story that the dogs were in their yard until chucklehead decided to run by)
If you have never owned a boxer, you have no place to comment on the breed. I have 2 and I'll never own a different breed again. I agree with the court's ruling, but I think that people need to get a grip on reality and realize that- of course this is a 'pack' situation. Dogs are 'pack' animals and will act as a pack. The court needs to split the pack up, not let the lady have dogs again and everyone else here move on.
The jogger didn't need stitches, and your comment about the doctor not wanting to give stitches is bogus. They make antibiotics for that purpose- go find a new doctor.
Hope everyone has a great day! - Boxers, attempting to rid the world of ignorance one jogger at a time. - Dog AttacksThis really infuriates me! I see some huge lawsuits coming. I hope the Gwinnett judge doesn't simply pass this problem off and let someone in another county be the next victim. This is a main reason why I am licensed to carry a concealed firearm and do not walk around my neighborhood or parks without carrying a firearm for the purpose of lawful, self-defense.
- the victims should always be supportedThe real heroes in this story are the victims like Rob and Sandra that had to fight off the dogs and then stand up and fight again for everyone's safety in this situation. We also are grateful to the other victims who were not injured as severely but were willing to tell their story to help resolve the situation. Hopefully stricter animal control laws will come and will prevent 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th attacks in the future. Make sure to let your state reps and county commissioners know this is important to you.
- The Whole StoryYes, the dogs didn't knock the almost 6 1/2 foot guy down, but he did everything he could to stay standing. He did need several stitches, but the doc couldn't do it because of risk of infection due to dog saliva. So instead, the guy had open wounds which bled for a couple days & peroxide baths to add punishment to injury. Feel free to look at the pics once they're posted on this website.
- the other side?FYI the length of pregnancy of a dog is 63 days...
So what if the jogger didn't need stitches? Have you ever been bitten by a dog? It's an occupational hazard for me, so I can say for a certainty that the puncture wounds that don't require stitches are generally quite painful, and more prone to infection than small lacerations requiring stitches. And really... if these dogs have been involved in incidents like this before, there is clearly a pack situation in place. It doesn't matter where these dogs live, they will continue to behave in the same manner so long as their social group is intact... unless of course anyone can get Caesar Milano...
Otherwise... it's time to put this situation to an end... before the next victim is much smaller, and fares much less well. How's that for another side to the story? - There is always another side to the story. Yes the dogs should probably not be at that house, but that does not mean they have to be put asleep. The guy didnt even need stitches. The story says 4 boxers and a dachsand...it does not say one of the boxers is 9 months pregnant and can barely get around, another is so old that it might die really soon. If anyone knows anything about a boxer, they are very big and weigh alot and are super strong. So if 4 boxers were out to bite and attack you, the guy would have been on the groud. He didnt even fall down. Fishy isnt it? Im not saying that it was right for the dogs to be out and bite BUT i do think that people need to know the whole story before jumping to conclusions.
- dog attackThe last person to be attacked was my sister. She went thru hell and back. Not only with the physical, with bites, scratches, a black eye, broken wrist with wound up in surgery with a plate and 4 screws, but the emotional trauma. My sister loves animals and has 2 cats and a dog, but something has to be done. Its unfortunate for the animals, they have either been allowed to be agressive or trained, either way its not the dogs fault. The full fault lays solely on the owners. Robs attack was at least the 4th maybe the 5th attack. These dog owners should never be allowed to have pets again and I can't believe that after the severity of my sisters attack that they were allowed to keep them and have someone else suffer injury!
- No ExcuseIf the owner of the dogs knew she had aggressive dogs she should have had padlocks on her gates to prevent “someone else” from opening them.
- Dog Attack in GW countyHI, I'm the other one attacked by these dogs in 2007. I actually suffered a broken wrist which required surgery and a steel plate with 7 screws. Thank you Sandy and WSB for meeting with Rob and sharing the story. Now maybe something will be done.
- Dog AttacksSeperate the dogs and don't allow her to own any more.
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