UPDATE: Owner charged after pit bulls ‘savagely’ maul woman to death

Police in Kentucky have arrested the alleged owner of two pit bulls responsible for mauling a woman to death and seriously injuring her husband on Christmas Eve.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that Johnny Dale Lankford, 42, has been jailed since December 22 on a second-degree assault charge, unlawful imprisonment, and a bench warrant. Two days later, police say his pit bulls killed Lorraine Brock Saylor, 66, as she spread bird seed in front of her home.

Her husband, Johnny Saylor, sustained injuries to his arm and head during Sunday’s attack. He reportedly shot and killed one of the dogs while checking on his wife. He is said to have wounded the second dog before it fled.

Johnny Saylor’s brother reportedly distracted the pit bulls as he retrieved his gun.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Lorraine Saylor was pronounced dead at the scene. A statement indicated that Johnny Saylor woke that morning to find that his wife was missing. Upon inspection, he found his wife on the front porch being attacked by the dogs, police said.

READ More: Husband awakes to find wife killed by neighbor’s pit bulls on Christmas Eve: Police

WLEX reported that police said the dog was captured when it returned to the Arjay home around 2 p.m. From there, the pit bull was taken to Bell County Animal Control and euthanized.

The Bell County Sheriff’s Department revealed that Lankford was charged with harboring a vicious animal in connection with Sunday’s incident. He remains jailed on $25,000 bond.

 

[Featured Image: Johnny Dale Lankford/Bell County Sheriff’s Department]