August 12, 2009

In the first human fatality from a dog attack in memory in Loudoun County, authorities confirmed that a man found dead in a Leesburg home on Monday died of bites from two adult pit bulls.

The body of Carter Ridge Delaney was found near the body of a mixed-breed pug, according to Officer Chris Jones, a spokesman for Leesburg police.

A medical examiner's report said Delaney had suffered puncture wounds consistent with dog bites. Necropsy results on the pug were
not available. Five dogs, including a cocker spaniel and pit bull puppy, were found in the home.

Adrienne Lawson, lead officer with the Loudoun Department of Animal Care and Control, entered the home with police and other animal control officers. Lawson said the two pit bulls were taken to the county's animal shelter.

Officials are expected to meet Wednesday with the victim's family and the owner of the two pit pulls, the victim's brother, Thomas Delaney, to decide what will be done with the dogs, Lawson said.

Under Virginia law, if a dog attack results in a human fatality, the case is taken to court to determine whether the dog should be euthanized, Lawson said.

The dogs are about 4 years old and had current rabies vaccinations and county registrations, according to Thomas Koenig, director of Loudoun County animal control.

Leesburg does not bar owning pit bulls, Jones said. Loudoun County does not prohibit them, although it prohibits their adoption from the county shelter.

When Lawson and three other animal control officers went into the home, they found the two pit bulls covered in blood and behaving aggressively, Lawson said. The dogs were secured in the back yard while police investigated the scene, Lawson said.