Man, 81, Attacked by 7 Dogs Now Faces Possible Limb Amputation

A man is at risk of losing multiple limbs after being attacked by seven dogs while walking to his mailbox in Alabama.

Jamie Boyd was attacked by canines allegedly belonging to his neighbors, William and Lacey Mitchell, in Bibb County on Sept. 24, local news outlet WBRC reported. The 81-year-old’s wife tried to help amid the attack, but she had been on a walker and ended up falling herself.

After police arrived on the scene, Brent Police Chief Carl McMillan fired a shot at the dog, who he believed had its eyes on Mrs. Boyd. “I don’t know if I hit him or not. He didn’t holler out, but they took off running,” McMillan told the outlet. 

A lawsuit has been filed against William, 53, and Lacey Mitchell, 50, and they were indicted by a Bibb County grand jury on Oct. 3. The Mitchells were charged under Emily’s Law — an Alabama law that addresses the owners of dogs that attack or cause serious injury — with one count of control of dangerous dogs. 

Boyd’s scalp was ripped from his head and he lost 50% of his muscle tissue in the attack, WBRC reported, citing the lawsuit. He remains in critical condition in the intensive care unit at UAB Hospital.

“He is facing amputation of his arm and potentially leg in order to stop the infection that is just out of control and the family seeks prayers for everyone in the community,” Boyd’s attorney, Paul Patterson, told WBRC one month after the attack.

According to Patterson, the dogs were a combination of pit bulls and pit bull mixes.

According to the indictments cited by WBRC, the Mitchells had prior knowledge that the dogs were dangerous. Court records also indicate they both signed a plea of not guilty and a waiver of arraignment form.

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“This is one of the most tragic dog mauling attacks that I’ve handled over the years practicing civil law,” Patterson told the outlet, alleging that the attack was a brutal mauling.

“I think the legislature really needs to take another look at Emily’s Law to make it a little more punitive on people who have a reckless disregard for the safety of others when they own these types of dogs,” he continued.

“If a court has not declared the dog vicious previously, then the punishment is — in my opinion — not as severe as it should be,” Patterson added.

The seven dogs have since been impounded at the Bibb County Animal Facility. 

The Michells are out of jail on $5,000 bond each, local news outlet AL reported. Arraignment is set for early December.

PEOPLE has reached out to Brent Police and Boyd’s attorney, Paul Patterson, for further comment.