Kathleen Ann Taylor, a 35-year-old woman from Florida, has been arrested after her three dogs were accused of brutally attacking and killing a 63-year-old man who was walking in the area. Monday, Taylor was charged with one felony count of negligent manslaughter.
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons reported that deputies received a call concerning an unconscious adult male at a property in the 400 block of Norris Avenue around 10 p.m. on February 24, 2023. Injuries to his head and torso were found and the man later died due to these wounds. The man lived in a trailer on the same property.
Simmons noted that Taylor had previous problems with Escambia County Animal Control and had been fined for her animals roaming without supervision yet failed to take action to address the housing of her animals. Complaints had been filed by other people living in the neighborhood that the dogs were chasing them and posed a serious threat to their safety.
A friend of Taylor reportedly told her that she had to get rid of the dogs after one bit them. When deputies arrived at the scene of the attack, they found the victim lying on the ground with his ears, nose and left eye detached, as well as several bites on his arms that were bleeding. The witness with the victim said that the three dogs approached them, began grunting, and then attacked. Taylor was reportedly present and yelled that the dogs didn’t belong to her before driving away.
Simmons stressed that if Taylor had taken the necessary steps to secure her dogs in kennels, this tragedy could have been avoided. Taylor is currently being held in Escambia County Jail without bond, and if convicted of the negligent manslaughter charge, she could face up to 15 years in prison.