Well first off it is sad that the lady was attacked, but what is the number one reason people get dogs? To protect them selves or their kids or their house! Right? Well these dogs have never been aggressive or attacked before, they seen someone coming towards their home they didn't know, & the purse deal weather she was swinging it or just holding it there the dogs would see this as a treat 2 them. & they acted on it. I have 4 dogs & 2 kids, & would like 2 see them try 2 put my dogs down if someone came in my yard, & if any of my dogs thought that person was there 2 harm me or my kids they would attack. & first off for any home owner u have 2 have insurance that covers if u have pets & someone comes in ur yard & ur dog bite's them, 2 pay their medical bills. So why is this not all the women done? Why did they have 2 kill the dogs? If ur kids get in a fight with another kid, & they get hurt bad do u try 2 have the other kid kill? NO u just sue them for pain & suffering & medical bills. This is a very sad story. To know that any time someone that is not welcome enters ur home or land & ur dogs attack that u could be facing them being put down. Why have them at all? I know why because they could be what stands between u living or dyeing if someone breaks into ur home.

A well-trained guard dog will bark until given the command to attack. These dogs snarled, circled and had a pack mentality that made them dangerous. This elderly woman's quality of life has been completely altered and fortunately for the dog owner, she is still alive. Most people in her situation would have sued the dog owners. I find it appalling that people place more value on the life of an animal than they do on the life of a human being.

The way I see this is- This committee (appointed or elected by whom?), rather than have the dogs held until all the facts were established, decided too quickly to destroy another mans pet and property. So now I believe that the only way the truth will ever be discovered, would be for the owners to file an expensive lawsuit and make the joke of a "committee" compensate him. I feel like they are at least guilty of unlawful destruction of property; property that can never be replaced. What really frightens me is that they operated under the cloak of what we now know as " law and order". To see it in such blatency on a local level is truly frightening. I hope that something opens up the eyes of ordinary citizens soon. Who knows what is to follow....

So if we have a dog that is protecting our property, the dog isn't allowed to even protect its property or its owners? hmmmmmm there is a lot of questions but im sure there will only be lies for answers

Two years ago ( 2010 ) early one morning a vehicle drove onto our property. I followed behind it to see what they wanted. When it stopped an older gentleman got out, totally ignored me, and opened a haven to our pasture. Only when I, loudly, asked him what he was doing did he explain himself. He said he was working for one of the people running for county commissioner and he was there to put a sign up. I asked who have him permission and he said the property owner. When I told him he was in the wrong place he adamantly argued he wasn't. Then he produced a map to prove his point. Turns out he was a half mile off course.

He had driven part two posted signs and my house. My question is this.., Had the pony in the pasture ran him over... whose fault would it have been? I'm this case , at first, he couldn't be convinced he was in the wrong place. Do you really think my pony should've paid for his ignorance. I don't think so. He's lucky he wasn't arrested for trespassing or worse. This mistake was all on him. No one else would've been to blame.

I can sympathize with your emotions Miss. Childress... But, I can not agree nor understand your logic. Had this happened to anyone else, I truly believe you would be on the other side of this discussion. The decision made by the ' Committee ' was completely wrong. They know it and so do you. I do challenge our Elected Commissioners to come forward and address this matter. If I were Mr. Pack... I would find a capable lawyer and seek damages from all parties involved. I sincerely believe that the decision of the board had more to do with personal . connections to the event than anything pertaining to justice.

Ok so i think this 80 yr old woman should not be driving because i dont think she can see very good she got the wrong address there are a bunch of no trespassing and beware of dogs signs what is there not to get about a BEWARE of dogs sign that does not mean keep walking down the road to the house there are super nice dogs down there IT MEANS that there are dogs that might hurt you if you keep going the lady should of went back to her car and made sure that's where she was supposed to be going because it wasn't were she was supposed to be going I want to know how you mistakenly go down a long dirt road... Them dogs should of not been killed my dog has bit someone pretty bad i don't even think he has a knee cap left but that his fault for going in our yard but our dog did not have to be put asleep we just have to keep her on a leash now... and that's why i don't live in surry county

Khewn, I read your comment and agree totally, the citizens of Surry County as well as every other county in every other State in this nation needs to pay attention to this!! After reading this story and the comments I checked with a friend of mine who works with animal control. They stated that there had been no previous bites by the dogs or no non aggressive behavior. They did state they had received a complaint of barking, however, Mr. Pack had purchased bark collars for the dogs and that seemed to work. This worker also stated that neighbors new the dogs were very protective of their yard, but because of the fencing and underground fencing also that the dogs did not leave the yard. This worker also informed me that the neighbors who gave the woman the address were well aware of the dogs kept by Mr. Pack and the fact that the dogs protected the yard, the worker stated that he did not understand why they didnt give better directions or a description of the property, knowing that the neighbors had guard dogs it just didnt make any sense to him. My issue is with a committee of non experienced people deciding that a dog that was in my yard, on my private property, which was clearly marked and fenced did not have the right to bite an intruder. So, does that mean if I have a guard dog it couldnt bite someone that was there to break into my house? The dogs only knew this woman was a tresspasser, someone who didnt belong there. I think the dog owners of Surry Co and every other county should get together and demand to know their rights. I just can not believe this happened, I reread the story twich, thinking something must be wrong, they must have invited her or the dogs must have gotten out of the yard, or maybe they had several previousl bites outside the yard, but after talking to my friend who knew more of the facts, I was shocked to realize that the county has that much control. Why bother to fench any yards or have signs posted or anything if it ends like this. It seems the homeowner tried to prevent anything like this from happening by posting the signs and having underground and above ground fences, how could he possibly know that an elderly lady was going to wonder through his gate. So does that mean if i have a pothole in my driveway and I have my driveway marked with Do not Enter signs and No Tresspassing, but an elderly person wonders in anyway and falls and get a severe break, maybe needs extensive surgeries and I knew about the hole before hand, but just cautioned everyone that I INVITED over about watching out for it, does it mean I will get in trouble or have to have a paving crew come in and pave it. This decision does not make any sense and just thinking aobut it should scare every homeowner in the county. I truly think some type of committe should be formed to get to the bottom of who makes these decisions and what their experience is and to clearify what rights home owners in county have as far as their own property.

First of all was you there? My mom was with my 3 month old. She might know just a little more then you, don't you think? And if they was behind the house how she hear them snarl? They don't snarl they bark. Why didn't she try walking back to the car when she seen them and heard them so called snarling? Another thing would you have them put down if a robber tried breaking in? It's the same thing. She should have not got out the car with the beware of dog sign. She took the risk. If you had dogs and they was protective and this happened would you feel the same?

First how do you know what happened was you there. And if they was behind the house how she hear them snarling. My mom was there so she might know just a little more then you. Don't you think? And for your info them dogs don't snarl they bark. They didn't know who she was they did there jobs. Another thing should they be put down if a robber came and tried to break in? Its the same thing she should not have came on the property with the sign posted.

Yea I bite was bad it was on my side. I had a hole 2 inches deep. One of the many holes my kidneys and internal oragons was in the picture I don't see how you say that's not bad. The old lady was dumb enough to get of her car halfway down the drive way and walk up to the side walk and when the dogs ran to her barking she started swinging her purse. That's not a smart move you think. And if the neighbor had a sign out yo there hair salon it wouldn't have happen blame them not the dogs for protecting what's theres. I have a Rottweiler and German shepard. And no one gets out unless they know its safe. They have common sense not to cause of the big barking dogs.

“She was bitten horribly,” said Committee Chairman Jim Hazel in a post-meeting interview. “It’s a wonder she wasn’t killed.”

The fact that the lady was in the wrong place and got bit is horrible. But, Mr.Hazel, the wonder is in the decision you and your " Committee " made.

Wonder is a word we could use in a lot of questions about this incident. We can wonder what would have happened had she driven down the wrong lane on the interstate...

who would have been responsible? We can wonder... did anyone on your " Committee " even once consider the rights of the property owner? And,perhaps, we should wonder... just what qualifies you and your colleagues to make such rulings? Lastly, I wonder just who appointed you and who do I hold responsible for the actions you take?

Honestly, I do feel for the woman and her family for their misfortune. And I can assure you I am no animal rights activist an any stretch of the imagination. But, this is nothing more than making one person say for anothers mistake. There was no law broken on the part of Mr. Pack and his dogs weren't roaming the streets.

If anyone has been wronged in this episode it is him. Your decision was made based on nothing more than emotion and a bloated ego. Regardless of how or why the lady arrived at that home, the outcome lies solely with her and perhaps the person who gave bad directions. So now I must wonder some more... Had the act scratched her,

would your Committee have put it down. Had she fallen into pearthe prickly pear cactus... would you have sent someone to dig it up. And finally, Mr. Hazel... had she been a burglar that had gotten bit... would you have been the person who would've ruled in favor of the thief? I'm thinking you probably would have.

This is a serious matter. More so than many realize. Don't just brush this aside, for it is a blatant attack on the rights of all law abiding tax paying citizens. It is a very good point to bring up to the County Commissioners who are up for reelection.

I am sorry the ladt got bit but I have 140 pound pit bull and 2 full blooded boxers and I DARE anyone to come in MY yard and not get bit. My dogs are very very protective of me and our house. Dogs have to be provoked in some way be4 they attack for no apparent reason. These dogs never shouldve been put down. Sounds to me like the owners of these dogs went by the law on everything. They had signs warning you not to enter the property and well Im sorry if you take it upon yourself to go in the gate then what happens is all on YOU and not the dogs nor the owners...

I just wanna let y'all know that my little girl was there with her Grandma. Them dogs did there job by protecting them. I have been bit twice by two different dogs it does suck. But a SURRY COUNTY LAWYER told me all dogs get one free bite where was there free bite. This just show our messed up this county is.

This is perhaps the grossest display of power that I have ever heard of! I know this family and have interacted with these animals; they were wonderfully friendly after the owners would let them know that it was alright to be friendly and the owners are extremely responsible pet owners. The property is very well marked with plenty of warning signs about the animals as well as it being private property. I am willing to bet that the dogs were probably barking when the woman pulled up into the driveway, at what point does common sense begin to play a role around here? Dogs barking while I am sitting in a vehicle is a pretty good indication that I should probably stay in my vehicle. I am very saddened by the fact that this woman was injured but how can it possibly be determined that these dogs and the owners were at fault for it? If the animals were off the property and randomly went up and attacked this woman then yes, I could understand the decision, but they were protecting their home and family from a person that was NOT supposed to be there. That is what a dog is SUPPOSED to do!

Furthermore, the Dangerous Dog Committee? Seriously? Does Surry County not have more pressing issues that committees could be formed for? Who is this committee and at what point did this county take the decision out of the court's hands and put it into a committee's? Who sits on this committee and what education/experience do they have to make life and death decisions?

Bottom line is that when you pull into a stranger's driveway that has signs ALL OVER stating it is private property and warning you about dogs being on the premises and you CHOOSE to go forward anyway and then you make the DECISION to get out of your vehicle, then YOU alone are responsible for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that happens after that point! A responsible pet owner should not be held accountable for very poor decision making on the part of this woman. This is a blatant attack on the rights of homeowners to have dogs and to use dogs to protect their homes. This entire situation is very sad; sad for the woman who was bitten, sad for the dogs, and sad for these people that had done everything right and legal.

Putting these animals down is a gross injustice and it sets an extremely dangerous precedent. This committee and any others like it have entirely too much power if it can infringe upon the rights of citizens that have done nothing wrong.

I normally don't post things on these comment pages. But I just had to on this one. This was not the dogs fault and they should not have been put to sleep. The lady was wrong for being on the property whether it was an accident or not. I don't really see how it could have been an accident anyway since the property was posted warning people to stay out. There is NO way a reasonable person could blame this on the the dogs. Based on my almost 30 years of experience training many different large breed dogs for security, law enforcement, and humanitarian assistance while working with the Department of Defense and the Department of State around the World, I've never seen a dog attack without a reason. Something always causes a dog to attack. Its really sad this committee made up of individuals with such lack of knowledge on this subject made a decision to put those dogs to sleep. (I make that comment based on quotes made by Mr Hazel.) I also feel very sorry for the lady and it was bad that she was bitten by one of the dogs. But lets look at this as a whole. The property was posted warning people to stay out and warning them of the dogs. The lady ignored all the signs and entered the property anyway knowing there were dogs on the property. Based on her age she may not have understood or been able to read the signs but that does not make it the dogs fault that she entered the property. That is her fault. You have to be responsible for your actions. Things you do in life may cause you to get hurt. So as I see it this should have been a simple decision. The dogs WERE NOT at fault in anyway and should not have been euthanized.

Our agency participates in a summer program for special needs and autistic children. Mr. Pack has invited our group to his farm for the past 2years, our participants enjoy viewing the large garden and seeing all the vegetable and fruits that are raised there. Each time we have been scheduled to visit, Mr. Pack's wife has advised us to remain in our vehicles until she comes outside to let the dogs know we are OK to be there. When we arrive at the gate, we have all observed the many signs posting, regarding private property, do not enter, no tresspassing, Beware of dog, etc. there are also camera posted on the gate entrances and a warning there.

Once we arrive and the Packs' greet us at our vehicles, we all exit, with the children from the camp and enjoy our day in the gardens, viewing the chickens and playing with the animals, dogs included. We have always known, because of the signs and warnings, not to arrive at the farm and exit our vehicles without the owners being present, once they are present and let the dogs know we are ok, then we have never had an issue and the dogs are very friendly.

I too regret that the lady was bitten and I feel sorry for her and all the pain she must be going through. My first thought upon hearing about this was, "How in the world could anyone enter that property by mistake" it is so clearly marked as Private. Then when I read her age I guess I understood that maybe someone of that age could make such a mistake, however while my heart goes out to her and her family, I can not understand how her mistake could result in the Dogs or the Owners of the Dogs being punished.

The fact that the lady was injured is unfortunate. But, that being said, she was on another persons property. Her mistake has caused someone else to say the cost. I do believe the commitee judged wrongly in this matter. The dogs in question were at home where they were supposed to be. The owner was more than likely no happier about her injuries than she was. But, he shouldn't have to bear the consequences for her actions. It would be different had the animals attacked her on the side of the road. I too would like to know just who this commitee is made up of and what their qualifications are to hand down judgement in matters that would normally be handled by the judiciary. Since they are under the direction of our County Commissioners, maybe we should ask them.

debra holt, you are so incredibly rude. no she did not need glasses nor to be in a nursing home. she is and 80 year old woman in wonderful condition. her friend gave her and address to get her hair cut at someones house and since she had never been there before she pulled into the neighbors house. i love dogs and every type of animal and i would never wish death among them and still dont but the fact is she could have DIED. people like you disgust me. but she is healing quite well, she has multiple wounds but the worst is in a wound vac and will take a long time to recover fully. she is definatley stronger than anyone i know. but she is doing great for her condition! in case you wanted to know.

This is wrong !!!!

This old woman was on someones property and DID NOT belong there.

It's getting to the point in Surry County that you as a homeowner can't own dogs because of stupid people like this !!!!!

Also, how can a person NOT KNOW they are at the wrong address, does she need glasses or need to be in a nursing home ....

And who is on this Dangerous Dog Committee ???

is it the same people who crawl thru your window at night or their family members, going to rob you blind....That's why people have dogs !!!

Intentionally or Not, the lady was trespassing and the dogs were at home. This is a gross violation of property rights and bad judgement on the part of the committee.