New Law Used In Attack On Girl

Its a legal first in Mobile County.

District Attorney John Tyson is using a new law to get rid of dangerous dogs. The case involves three year old Madisyn Shelton, who was attacked last week by two laboradors and a blue heeler near her home on McCrary Road in Semmes.

Tyson said, "This a brand new statute that's never been used before today."

He filed a civil lawsuit under the state's new dangerous dog law.

Tyson said, "In this lawsuit, we have asked that the dogs be declared dangerous, and that the dogs then be destroyed after that declaration, and that the dogs remain in the animal shelter until we get through with this lawsuit."

Madisyn Shelton's family said she was playing in the front yard of her home when the dogs attacked her. She suffered more than 50 bites and had to get more than 160 stitches.

Tyson said, "We have three dangerous dogs who severely injured this three year old child. We aim to permanently remove them from our community."

The dangerous dog law only applies to unincorporated areas of Mobile County, but, Tyson said, "I think the reason for that is most of the municipalities, if not all of them, have their own animal ordinances."

Mobile County Animal Control Officer Carmelo Miranda said, "That's one of the safety issues that we have to address in the county concerning dogs being allowed to run loose and owners are not keeping the dogs confined."

Tyson said, "It will be a long time before anyone in this family gets over the way these dogs mauled that child."

Here's a link to read Tyson's lawsuit against the dog owner:

http://www.wkrg.com/document/pdf/03-17-2010_dangerous_dogs