‘Mauling by pitbulls’ kills 3-month-old, granddad

TULLAHOMA, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 50-year-old man and his 3-month-old granddaughter are dead after a violent dog attack that took place Wednesday afternoon in Tullahoma, Tennessee.

According to 14th Judicial District Attorney General Craig Northcott, the Coffee County Communications Center received a call at approximately 3 p.m. about an “apparent mauling by pit bulls” that occurred in the 900 block of E. Warren Street.

A neighbor, Brian Kirby, said he came home from work and saw a woman in the middle of the street screaming. He immediately sprang into action.

Kirby asked the woman if she needed help, but instead of answering him, he said she ran off toward the back of the house. Moments later, Kirby heard sirens and knew something was horribly wrong.

Officials reported that when law enforcement arrived at the scene, they observed the dogs attacking the infant. The dogs were reportedly killed to stop the attack, but two people—identified as 50-year-old James Alexander Smith and his 3-month-old granddaughter—were already deceased.

While Kirby said this was the first time he’s seen the dogs be violent toward humans, he said it isn’t the first instance of violence he’s seen. 

He said he saw firsthand the dogs were violent toward other animals. Kirby intended to make a police report a week prior, claiming they killed his beloved pet cat.

“I don’t believe that they thought this would ever happen,” Kirby said. “I’m sure it was not done on purpose. I think that people just have animals, and they just need to put them on a leash better; that’s all. And I’m not blaming them for what happened at all. I know that they’re devastated more than we are because it’s their family. It’s just hard to understand and wrap your head around it.”

Kirby brought his pet cat home eight years ago, and she still holds a special place in his heart.

“She was just a wonderful cat,” he said. “She was just an ideal cat, never made a mess; she was just a beautiful animal that I loved very much.”

However, Kirby hopes pet owners know taking care of animals includes loving them and putting them on leashes for safety. In addition, he hopes this situation never happens again.

“The police are limited; they can’t do much about it,” Kirby said. “I don’t believe they thought the dogs were dangerous. I believe they just had too many.”

According to Northcott, an investigation is ongoing to determine if there was a violent history with the dogs and other potential issues that “may have contributed to this situation.” He added that the dogs involved in the deadly attack have been euthanized and other dogs in the home were taken by Tullahoma Animal Control.

No decisions have been made when it come to criminal charges, said Northcott.

“This was an especially difficult and brutal scene,” Northcott stated in a press release about the incident. “Please pray for the family of the victims in this difficult time as well as the first responders as they cope with the trauma from what they witnessed.”

An investigation into the deadly attack is being led by the Tullahoma Police Department. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Investigator Jessica Taylor at 931-455-0530, Investigator Jason Williams or Investigator James Sherill with the District Attorneys Office at 931-723-5055.

If you would like to donate to a GoFundMe to help the family with funeral expenses and essentials, click here.