Charges filed after Kennett, Mo., animal control officer attacked by dog

KENNETT, Mo. -- An attack on a local animal control officer by a Rottweiler resulted in the animal's owners being issued a summons to appear in court.

According to Dunklin County prosecutors, a father and son have each been charged with misdemeanors in connection to an incident that occurred on April 6. The charges consist of animal abuse for failing to exercise adequate control over their animal and assault of a law enforcement officer by allowing their animal to attack the officer.

The two men charged include Jerry Eldon Hyde, 62, and Jerry Lynn Hyde, 40, both residents of Kennett.

Police say the charges against the Hydes are a result of an incident in which Tina Petix, the city's animal control officer, visited a local home to check on the condition of a Rottweiler dog. In her report, Petix said that when one of the men opened the door to the residence, the animal came charging toward her, attacking her, as the two men watched. The officer reported that eventually, one of the men got the dog and took it back inside the residence. Petix then told the men that she was under the obligation to take the animal into custody for an 8-day observation period as a result of the incident. According to the officer, one of the men told her that "if she wanted the dog, to come in and get it herself."

Assistant police chief Steve Williams said Petix suffered injuries to her left leg as a result of the attack.

Both men are expected to appear in court before Judge John C. Spielman on May 10.

Pertinent address:

Kennett, MO