An Ohio grandmother, Jo Ann Echelbarger, was tragically killed by two pit bulls named Apollo and Echo owned by Susan and Adam Withers, despite the dogs having a history of attacks. The incident occurred on October 17 at a residential complex in Ashville, Ohio where Echelbarger had only lived for a few months. The lawsuit filed on behalf of her family described how the dogs attacked Echelbarger while she was peacefully gardening, causing her extreme pain and suffering before her death. The attack was captured on video and served as a horrifying reminder of Echelbarger’s life-long fear of dogs.
The lawsuit also detailed previous violent incidents involving the Withers’ dogs, including Apollo attacking a resident and killing their dog in October 2023. Despite a court order from September 11 ordering the dogs to leave the community, it had not been enforced. Three weeks before Echelbarger’s death, police were called because the dogs had ingested Adam Withers’ cocaine, further highlighting the neglect and dangerous environment surrounding the animals. The body cam footage of this incident showed that authorities attempted to call the Dog Warden’s Office without success, ultimately leading to the tragic outcome for Echelbarger.
The dogs were so aggressive and persistent in their attack on Echelbarger that the police were forced to shoot and kill them to end the terror. The lawsuit accused the residential complex and the Pickaway County Dog Warden of neglecting their duties, ultimately resulting in Echelbarger’s death. The attorney representing Echelbarger’s family, Rex H. Elliott, emphasized that proper enforcement of laws and regulations could have prevented the tragic loss of a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. The Failures of the Dog Warden and Condo Association led to the horrific nature of Echelbarger’s death, leaving her family to grapple with the constant memory of the brutal attack.
Echelbarger’s life-long fear of dogs made the attack and her final moments particularly terrifying, as she had previously been bitten by a dog as a child. The lawsuit highlighted the brutality of the attack, with the dogs being so aggressive that they continued to assault Echelbarger even after being shot by police. This tragedy was exacerbated by the fact that the dogs had a history of violence, including attacking other residents and killing pets in the community. The failure to enforce court orders and address previous incidents involving the dogs ultimately contributed to the fatal attack on Echelbarger.
The lawsuit painted a disturbing picture of the neglect and dangerous environment created by the Withers’ dogs at The Reserve at Ashton Village. Despite warnings and reports of previous incidents, including the dogs ingesting cocaine, no action was taken to remove the animals from the community. The lawsuit accused the authorities of failing to uphold their responsibilities and prevent a preventable tragedy that resulted in the loss of Echelbarger’s life. The graphic details of the attack and the circumstances leading up to it underscored the need for stricter enforcement of laws and regulations to protect residents from dangerous animals.
The attorneys representing the Withers were contacted for a response but did not provide a statement at the time of publication. The lack of accountability from the owners of the aggressive dogs further highlighted the negligence and disregard for public safety that led to Echelbarger’s death. The lawsuit served as a call for justice and accountability in holding those responsible for the tragic incident accountable for their actions. Echelbarger’s family sought not only closure for their loss but also the reassurance that measures would be taken to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
