A 71-year-old woman sustained severe injuries in a vicious attack by a pack of dogs. Mary Norwood was found with significant lacerations on her front porch after approximately 10 to 15 pit bull mixes attacked her. Quick action from witnesses prevented further harm before emergency services arrived.
Norwood received immediate medical attention from Monroe County EMS at the scene before being taken to the University of Tennessee Hospital for additional treatment. Her current medical status is undisclosed.
According to MCSO Public Information Officer Sue Pettingill, the scale of the attack was unprecedented, noting the victim’s helplessness against multiple aggressive dogs. Following an investigation by Monroe County detectives and animal control officers in Madisonville, Tennessee, four suspects were apprehended and charged with various offenses, including a Class E felony for animals causing serious injury while at large.
The arrested individuals, Clayton Warren Davis, 65; Sara June Burris, 44; Ricky Lee Burris, 57; and Sheila Jenene Kryzak, 54, are facing charges related to multiple counts of animal cruelty and dogs lacking rabies vaccinations. Authorities confiscated a total of 27 dogs from the property, comprising 13 adult dogs, 13 puppies, and one dog belonging to the victim.
Further charges are anticipated, with Ricky Burris potentially facing legal consequences for owning a dangerous dog as a convicted felon and failing to register as a sex offender. Sara Burris is also confronting charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and attempting to introduce contraband into a correctional facility.
Pettingill highlighted that this incident was not the first time dogs were seized from the location but marked the first severe injury caused. As of the latest update on September 13, there has been no new information on Norwood’s condition provided by MCSO.