The owner of two pitbulls which mauled a woman to death in her front yard on Christmas Eve has been arrested for harboring a vicious animal.
Johnny Dale Lankford, 42, was already in custody on domestic violence charges when police in Arjay, Kentucky, arrested him for the animal attack which left Lorraine Brock Saylor dead and her husband Johnny injured.
Lorraine and her husband were mauled by the animals in front of their home.
He shot both animals, killing one and injuring the other, to fight them off but it was too late to save his wife.
Lorraine was pronounced dead not long after the morning attack.
Johnny Dale Lankford, 42, was already in custody on domestic violence charges when police in Arjay, Kentucky, arrested him for the animal attack which left Lorraine Brock Saylor dead and her husband Johnny injured
Lankford’s two dogs which attacked the woman. Her husband shot both of them, killing one and injuring the other. The surviving dog is still on the loose
Johnny Saylor suffered injuries to his head and arm while fending the animals off.
Bell County Sheriff’s Office announced Lankford’s arrest late on Saturday night in a statement.
‘The dogs belonged to 42 year old Johnny Dale Lankford who was already lodged in the Bell County Detention Center on charges he acquired Friday afternoon December 22nd for assault 2nd degree – domestic violence, unlawful imprisonment – 2nd degree, and a bench warrant.
‘After an interview at the detention center, Venable charged Lankford with harboring a vicious animal,’ they said.
The details surrounding Lankford’s first arrest are not clear. It is not known who, if anyone, was watching over the dogs when they attacked the Saylors.
The attack happened at the home of Lorraine and Johnny Saylor on Saturday at 10.20am
Around 10.20am, Lorraine’s brother-in-law James Saylor called police to tell them that the two dogs had ‘savagely’ attacked the couple.
James had been inside his own home next door when he heard the ruckus. When he went outside to see what the commotion was, he saw the two dogs attacking his brother.
He then grabbed a doorstop off his front porch and threw it in hopes of distracting the animals.
Both animal control and the Bell County Sheriff’s Department are looking for the brown Pitbull still out and about.
Around 10.20am, Lorraine’s brother-in-law James Saylor (pictured) called police to tell them that the two dogs had ‘savagely’ attacked the couple. They have not been pictured