This is the second fatal dog attack in our area this week.
The Greater Birmingham Humane Society (GBHS) said that within the last three years, the state has seen an increase in the number of attacks and deaths caused by stray dogs. CEO Allison Black Cornelius said something needs to change, or else the problem will only get worse.
"We're talking about kids walking to school, a child riding a 4-wheeler and a woman who was walking in an urban area. We're not talking about an area where you would expect to be attacked by a wild animal," said Black Cornelius.
Bessemer Police Chief Gary Carmichael said this is still an active investigation. The department has an animal control officer who goes out daily looking for stray dogs.
"Usually, they are taken to the shelter. If we can find the owner of a loose dog, because we do have an ordinance where they have to be on a leash if they're being walked or loose, we have to cite the owner if they are out running loose. If we are not able to find the owner, we will take them to the shelter," said Carmichael.
Black Cornelius said that the dogs in the Bessemer attack were shot by police. However, she said it's important for the animal to be tested for rabies, which helps in the investigation.
"If we had been able to do that, and if they did test positive, that might have given us an indication of what happened. And more importantly, that might tell us if there's a rabies outbreak in that area, which is something the state health officer and Jefferson County officer need to know," said Black Cornelius.
She believes these deaths are caused by a mix of several problems, including overpopulation and a lack of rules and laws around tethering and leashing dogs.
"These deaths this week should be the wake-up call. No more committees or meetings or conversations, it's time to act."
Comment: Details of the other fatality: Dog attack kills Alabama 7 year old