CONWAY, Ky. – Kentucky police have accused a woman of killing a man by using an aggressive pit bull, according to reports.
Law enforcement authorities said Donald Abner, 55, died after being mauled by the dog at his home on Pug Lane in Conway overnight Friday, WKYT-TV reported.
Melissa Wolke, 38, was accused of directing the dog to attack Abner and refusing to command it to retreat, according to reports. As a result, she was charged with murder.
“The way I look at it she used her animal, a pit bull, as a weapon to help her in this altercation,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington said, according to WKYT.
He called the crime a first in his 24 years as a trooper.
“There’s something new every day that happens,” he said.
When state police arrived, they said they found a very aggressive pit bull next to a truck. Hence, troopers said they were forced to shoot it.
Police said Wolke and Abner had been friends. However, it’s unclear what led to the confrontation that turned deadly.
Furthermore, Wolke was charged with resisting arrest, menacing and public intoxication, online records revealed.
The local coroner said Abner apparently died as a result of the canine attack with bites around the face and neck, WDKY reported. But further investigation would be required.
The local news agency spoke to neighbors across the street who said they didn’t know the people who lived at the residence but they’ve recently heard gunfire from the home.
“At night time I’ve been hearing several gunshots going up and down this road over here,” said Jerry Merritt. “I don’t know what they’re shooting at or for the fun of it or what.”
A veterinarian was called to the scene to pick up the dead pit bull and test it for rabies. The victim’s body was also sent to Frankfort for an autopsy.
