QUITMAN, Ga. (WALB) – Family has confirmed the cause of death of 35-year-old Courtney Williams, who was found dead following a dog attack in Quitman.
Williams was mauled to death on Thursday, May 9, on Webster Street at a bus stop behind the Brooks County Middle School.
Brooks County schools police went to the emergency room when they heard the dispatch call of a child being attacked by dogs after getting off at the school bus stop.
Casey Cope, Brooks County Schools Police Chief said, “The incidents didn’t occur within our jurisdiction but because the child is one of our students, they are therefore our family. We took it hard across the district from the superintendent down. You take something like that hard especially when you find out the other details.”
WALB learned 13 dogs were involved in the initial attack. Thomasville Humane Society worked through the weekend to get the dogs off the street. They have secured 11 of the dogs.
Chandler Giddes, Director Thomasville Humane Society said, “A woman lost her life and two children’s lives will forever be changed by this. We have really got a long way to go in animal services, we have to understand how and why dogs act like this from a owner and community standpoint. It’s all about accountability.”
Giddes said there are at least 3 more dogs that must be removed from the property. But one Brooks County resident told me that the issues of stray dogs and overpopulation has been an ongoing issue for years.
“I have been to the commissioners before with the sheriff standing beside me. Pleading for us to get some kind of control,” Sharon Waters said.
In a statement to WALB Brooks County Board of Commissioners said:
“The Brooks County Board of Commissioners is deeply saddened by the multiple dog attacks that occurred on May 9, 2024. The well-being of Brooks County citizens is of the utmost importance to Brooks County. Brooks County continues to pray for the victims of this tragic incident.”
On Friday, WALB reported that two children were injured in a dog attack, and the mother was found dead.
We have since learned that there were three children at the bus stop at the time of the incident and only one child was injured by the dogs. A boy pushed his sister out of harm’s way, according to the family.
WALB has also learned that a good Samaritan drove up, fought off the dogs, and took the children to the hospital.
A family member told WALB they are extremely grateful for the actions of a good samaritan, who fought off the dogs when they were going after the children. The family says things may have been much worse if not for his actions.
The Thomasville Humane Society release a statement following the incident.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is conducting an autopsy to determine the official cause of death, as the case is still active and ongoing.
We will continue to bring you updates on air and online.
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