Tragic Incident: Ohio Grandmother Mauled by Cocaine-Fueled Pit Bulls

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In a shocking incident that has sent ripples of grief and outrage through a community in Ashton, Ohio, a 73-year-old grandmother, JoAnn Echelbarger, was tragically mauled to death by her neighbor’s pit bulls, Echo and Apollo. The incident occurred while she was gardening in her condominium’s common area last October. Her husband, Stanley, who suffers from dementia and was bound to a wheelchair, witnessed the horrific attack unfold, pleading for help as his wife was attacked for several agonizing minutes.

According to a lawsuit filed by Echelbarger’s family, the two dogs had previously exhibited concerning behavior, and both tested positive for cocaine after the attack. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of the dogs’ owners, Adam Withers and his mother, Susan, who were recently convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Echelbarger’s death.

Echelbarger’s daughter, Earlene Romine, expressed her family’s anguish, stating, “She did not deserve this. She was tortured, and she suffered.” The family is pursuing legal action not only against the Witherses but also against their mother’s condominium association and the county dog warden, citing a failure to respond to numerous warnings about the dogs’ aggressive behavior.

Body camera footage from police responding to prior incidents involving the dogs revealed that the animals had ingested cocaine weeks before the fatal attack. Despite these incidents, the dogs were permitted to remain in the condominium, raising questions about the effectiveness of local authorities in addressing the situation.

The family’s legal representative, Rex Elliot, emphasized the need for accountability, stating that local authorities had a responsibility to ensure the community’s safety. The wrongful death suit seeks compensatory damages exceeding $25,000 and punitive damages.

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As the community rallies around the grieving family, many are left wondering how such a preventable tragedy could occur.

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