Randolph County panel affirms dangerous-dog designation after neighbor’s dog is fatally injured

A Randolph County special committee on animal services voted unanimously to uphold the county director’s dangerous-dog designation for a Rottweiler named Sassy after hearing testimony and medical records showing two attacks on a neighbor’s dog, including a fatal April 10, 2026 incident.

The panel affirmed the director’s decision after hearing detailed accounts from Randolph County Animal Services Director Jonathan R. Moody and testimony from the neighbor who lost a dog and from Sassy’s owner, Jacqueline Lemons. Moody told the board that the county’s incident reports and veterinary documents showed the dog had attacked on Aug. 10, 2025 and again on April 10, 2026; the second attack resulted in abdominal trauma and organ prolapse and the victim was euthanized by a veterinarian because of the severity of injuries. "I deemed the dog dangerous," Moody said while introducing the director’s designation and supporting records.

Why the decision matters: the board’s action enforces county dangerous-dog rules meant to protect neighbors and public safety when an animal has demonstrated a pattern of severe aggression. Board members described the injuries in the records as "catastrophic" and cited the risk of a third attack harming another animal or a person.

What the record showed: Mark and Sheila Cox, the neighbors who presented the evidence of the attacks, described two separate incidents in which their smaller dog was injured. Sheila Cox recounted arriving at the scene of the April attack and said she "had to get a blanket and wrap her up because her insides were coming out," and estimated roughly $9,000–$10,000 in veterinary bills for the dog’s treatments after the earlier attack. Moody entered photographs, veterinary notes, and dispatch records into the hearing record; the reports list the address connected to the incidents as 3131 Indian Springs Road and identify property and ownership details for the board’s consideration.

Owner’s response and proposed mitigations: Jacqueline Lemons, who identified herself as Sassy’s owner, said she was not at home during the April 10 incident and acknowledged she had not put Sassy’s collar on that morning. "It was my fault," Lemons said. She told the board she had purchased an invisible fence and kept a kennel in the house, and offered to muzzle the dog, supervise it on leash, bring Sassy to her workplace, and pursue behavioral evaluation if allowed to keep the animal.

Character witnesses: Two acquaintances testified they had not seen prior aggression from Sassy and urged the board to consider alternatives to removal. Laurie Pegram and April Childress both said they had known the dog and owner for years and had not observed similar behavior.

Board deliberation and vote: During deliberations, members said evidence indicated Sassy had been left unattended and had escaped containment multiple times; the second incident caused severe, fatal injuries to the neighbor’s dog. Board member J.R. Beard moved to affirm the animal services director’s dangerous-dog determination; Chair Kenny Kidd seconded. The motion carried unanimously. The board asked counsel to prepare a written order reflecting the decision.

Legal standard and next steps: The chair said the decision was guided by the North Carolina general statute governing dangerous animals and emphasized the board’s reliance on the written standard of law. Counsel said a signed order will be prepared and entered in the county record; no further hearing date was announced.

The hearing record includes the director’s designation document dated April 14, 2026, veterinary records and photos, dispatch notes, and sworn testimony from neighbors, the appellant, and supporting witnesses. The board’s order will formalize the affirmed designation and any conditions required by the county’s dangerous-dog procedures.