Dennis Faulkner Arrested After Dogs Allegedly Kill 84-Year-Old Woman in Chatham County
Investigators in Chatham County, North Carolina, say a local man’s dogs were responsible for a deadly attack that claimed the life of an 84-year-old woman.
Authorities have charged Dennis O’Keith Faulkner, 32, with involuntary manslaughter following the death of Betty Alston, a longtime Chatham County resident who was found dead outside her home last month.
The disturbing incident happened on May 19 along Alston Road near Apex. According to investigators, deputies were called to the area shortly before 11 a.m. after a family member discovered Alston unresponsive in her yard. The relative reportedly told authorities that he encountered multiple dogs near her body and had to chase them away before approaching her.
As deputies launched their investigation, attention turned to three dogs believed to have been involved in the fatal encounter. Authorities later identified the animals’ owner as Faulkner, who also lives on Alston Road.
MEDICAL EXAMINER RULES DEATH WAS CAUSED BY ANIMAL ATTACK
Initially, investigators were waiting for official autopsy findings before determining whether additional criminal charges would be filed. Now, officials say the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office has concluded that Alston died as a result of injuries sustained during an animal attack.
Following the autopsy findings, detectives obtained a felony warrant charging Faulkner with involuntary manslaughter, alleging that his actions and failure to properly control the animals contributed to the deadly outcome.
OWNER WAS ALREADY FACING CHARGES
The felony charge comes on top of several misdemeanor offenses Faulkner was already facing.
The day after Alston’s death, deputies arrested him on charges related to the dogs allegedly roaming away from his property and for failing to ensure the animals had current rabies vaccinations.
Court records show Faulkner was released after posting a $15,000 secured bond on those misdemeanor charges.
However, after the manslaughter charge was filed, authorities arrested him again. This time, officials say he was held without bond pending his first court appearance.
WHAT KIND OF DOGS WERE INVOLVED?
According to warrants filed in the case, the three dogs involved were identified as two Cane Corsos and one bulldog mix. The animals were taken into custody and remain under the control of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues.
Cane Corsos are large, powerful mastiff-type dogs that can weigh well over 100 pounds and are often used as guard dogs due to their protective nature and strength.
PREVIOUS DOG-RELATED ISSUES RAISE QUESTIONS
As details emerged, investigators also revealed that Faulkner had prior encounters with law enforcement involving other dogs he owned. Deputies say they responded to at least two previous incidents involving different dogs connected to Faulkner after the animals reportedly left his property.
Those incidents occurred before the fatal attack and ultimately resulted in Faulkner voluntarily surrendering those dogs to authorities following a welfare-related check earlier this year.
However, officials emphasized that they had not received prior complaints involving the three dogs connected to Alston’s death before the fatal incident occurred.
Faulkner is expected to make his first court appearance on the involuntary manslaughter charge on June 3 in Chatham County.
