Charges unlikely in Alabama girl's mauling death

The county where the 4-year-old was killed has no laws against allowing dogs to run loose, the district attorney says.
TALLASSEE, Ala. — It is unlikely that criminal charges will be pursued against the owners of two dogs believed to be involved in the fatal mauling of a 4-year-old girl near Tallassee.
"Tallapoosa County doesn't have a law on the books that says owners can't allow their dogs to run at large," Tallapoosa County District Attorney E. Paul Jones said. "If there is no law, there can be no charges."


The incident occurred late Wednesday afternoon in the Tallapoosa County portion of Tallassee's police jurisdiction.

The girl was playing in her yard. When her grandfather went to check on her, he noticed a large dog standing over her, Police Chief Jimmy Rodgers said. The grandfather told police the dog was trying to drag the girl away when he ran it off.