‘BITING DOG’ ATTACKS 11 YEAR-OLD; AUTHORITIES DO NOTHING, MOTHER SAYS

LOUISA, KY. — What has been called a “vicious dog” in the neighborhood attacked an 11 year-old Lawrence County girl three days ago and had to endure the rabies series of shots, 40 of them, because no proof was given by the dog’s owner or the Lawrence Co. Animal Control Office that the animal had ever gotten its rabies shots.

The owner has been identified as Jamie Clay, also of Cherryville Road. Mr. Clay could not be reached for comment today.

According to Alexiya Schwan, her daughter, Nevaeh Schwan, a student at Louisa East Elementary,  was playing in the yard along Cherryville Road when she was attacked and bitten by the dog. She immediately rushed her to TRMC and doctors there ordered the shots.

But Ms. Schwan says she has had no visit from the county’s animal control officer Jessica Perry despite calling her more than once about whether the animal has had rabies shots.

Lawrence County deputy judge/exec. Vince Doty said today that he thought the matter had been taken care of.

“I have been told that the dog has been quarantined and the Health Department has been notified and is monitoring the situation,” Doty said. “I talked to Jess and she has spoken to the mother and the owner is permitted to keep their dog quarantined at their home.”

But Ms. Schwan says the dog has not been quarantined and her daughter is afraid to go outside and play with her own puppy since the incident. She is also required to go back to the hospital today for more shots.

Here is what Ms. Schwan had to say about her child’s experience:

“Late Friday evening I was in my home while my 11 year old daughter was playing outside with her friends. The next thing I know my daughter comes bursting through my door in tears. The neighbor’s dog had viciously attacked her. I rushed her to the hospital to treat the wounds. While at the hospital my child was forced to endure over forty painful shots.

The owner of the dog, Jamie Clay, was unable to provide any proof of vaccinations for this dog. I filed the dog bite report while at the hospital and also contacted dispatch to contact the animal control officer Jess Perry.  I was advised by animal control that night that she would be out the very next day.

The animal control officer, Ms. Perry,  never came.

I proceeded to make several calls to the sheriff’s office and 911. The animal control officer still never came. I then today, three days later, proceeded to contact the judge’s office and the shelter to see if anything would be done or if the dog had been quarantined — and it had not.

I was advised by the animal control she “contacted” the owners and the dog was quarantined and had its vaccinations. I then reached out to the Lawrence County Health Department for proof of this and they had not received any proof of vaccination.

I also called and spoke with Travis at the Lawrence County Humane Society and they had not received a report of the dog and had had no recent intakes.  The dog is still in the owner’s care and not quarantined. “

Editor’s Note: AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO REACH ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER JESSICA PERRY SINCE FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR, THE LAZER HAS FINALLY GOTTEN A MESSAGE FROM HER ON THIS ISSUE;

“Protocol has been followed 100% Health department can confirm. So, I’m now getting dragged through the mud for doing my job correctly.” –JESS PERRY