Elderly man killed by dogs in Mead, OK

Sadly, earlier this week 92 year old James Hurt was found dead in his front yard after being attacked by two dogs.   The man was apparently out gardening when the attack occurred.

Based on the reports this isn't the first time that dogs have been a problem in Mead as dogs have been known to run lose in the neighborhood and have on many occassions threatened residents and even bitten people before.

At the present time, authorities are unsure of what dogs were responsible for the attack as no one witnessed the attack, but authorities to suspect two "pit bulls" that live a few homes down from the victim.

Meade, which has a population of just 130 people, has a leash law in town but no animal control and the county sheriff says he just doesn't have the resources to enforce the ordinance.

Mead's population has an average household income of $14,668 -- this is down 30% from the $21,071 in 2000 (and much less than the average of $41,664 fr the state of Oklahoma) -- so obviously this small, rural community is not tremendously upscale.

The story has only been picked up by a small number of media outlets.

My heart goes out to the Hurt family and to the residents of Mead.

Comments

[Rob]

From your link above the story from KTEN says that the neighbors dogs had blood on them and was being tested to see if it was the victims.

[Brent]

Yeah, there were several reports -- one indicated the dogs had blood on them, one indicated they MAY have had blood on them, and one other acted as if there was no doubt these were the dogs...I usually try to reserve too much judgment as these stories often end up changing a lot over time.

[Michelle]

I'm not even sure blood on the dogs would indicate fault or not. If they were loose and went over to sniff him later, they could have gotten it on them too. I'd like to think there has to be more evidence than just some blood on them, but since they're pit bulls I know what will happen.

[AER]

I wonder if it is possible, that since no one actually witnessed the attack, that the elderly man simple died and the dogs ate him? As gruesome as it sounds is not possible?. Is there proof that he was attacked and that he died from the attack?

[randolpph scarborough]

we need to get deadly serious and kill all the dog breeders , dog nuts like you , and all dogs !!!

[Brent]

Nothing points to which side is more rational and in the right than the other side issuing death threats all around.

[kmk]

One thing is for certain - elderly people should not garden.

[Tonya]

Any update on this story?

[Brent]

Nothing that I've seen Tonya.