Thursday, May 1, 2008

Neighbors Engage In Gang Fight Over Stolen Dog Allegations

   Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies were sent to sort out conflicting statements when neighbors became involved in a gang fight in the wake of accusations of a stolen dog Wednesday.

   The five neighbors, three from one home, two from another, all claimed that the other group had initiated the confrontation.

   One man told deputies that he had “let the dogs out” when he arrived home, and that shortly thereafter he saw the female neighbor leading one of the dogs back to her residence.

   When they arrived on the scene, deputies report that emergency medical personnel with the Lawrence County Ambulance Service were administering aid to a woman, who was lying on the ground beside a vehicle. She and her son reported their neighbors had crossed the fence at the property line, come into their home, and dragged her outside. There, they said they began striking.

   The son told deputies that when the two men and one woman began striking his mother he retrieved a gun, but they took it away from him and began striking him again. He stated that he was able to get away and retrieve a shotgun, then fired two shots into the air in order to scare them away. He said the attempt was unsuccessful, and that the neighbors began to beat upon him once again.

   The son stated that it was at this point that he began using the shotgun to strike his neighbors in the head. He said that soon afterward they left, heading back to their home.

   While some of the individuals did sustain minor cuts, knots and abrasions, the deputy noted that none appeared to be seriously injured. One victim was transported to Crockett Hospital by private vehicle.

   Deputies reported they were unable to determine exactly who was the primary aggressor in the brawl, therefore no arrests were made. Both parties were advised of the procedures to follow in order to prosecute. Both indicated their intent to do so.

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