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Feral dogs euthanized; charges weighed after maulings

LEXINGTON - The dogs that authorities say killed a University of Georgia librarian and her elderly husband Friday night were euthanized Tuesday at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter by court order.

The feral dogs mauled Sherry L. Allen Schweder, 65, a bibliographer with UGA libraries, while she walked down a dirt road Friday evening near her home on Georgia Highway 77 a couple of miles northeast of Lexington, Oglethorpe County Coroner James Mathews said Tuesday.

The same pack of dogs overpowered and killed her husband, former UGA German professor Lothar Karl Schweder, 77, after he found his wife's body on the rural lane later that evening, Mathews said.

Authorities plan to consult later this week to decide whether to bring charges against the man who cared for the dogs.

Neighbors and the coroner said the dogs, who stayed at an unoccupied house on the end of the dead-end lane, roamed the area but didn't seem aggressive.

"It's hard to say what triggered the attack because the dogs haven't been aggressive to anyone else," Mathews said. "No one knows exactly what happened.

"The ones who know can't tell us."

Sherry Schweder - known on campus as Sherry Allen - often would go for a walk on the lane, Howard Thaxton Road, neighbors said. A dog lover herself, she'd usually have her seven dogs with her, but she was alone Friday night when the dogs attacked, Mathews said.

When she failed to return home, Lothar Schweder came looking for her in the family car and found her lying on the side of the road, Mathews said. He got out of the car and the dogs attacked him - he tried fighting the dogs off and may have tried to call for help on his cell phone, but the dogs overpowered him, Mathews added.

Investigators found Sherry Schweder's bloody shirt underneath the car, which was abo

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Tweets \| Videos \| Compare Prices on Pet Supplies Feral dogs euthanized; charges weighed after maulings LEXINGTON - The dogs that authorities say killed a University of Georgia librarian and her elderly husband Friday night were euthanized Tuesday at the Madison Oglethorpe Animal Shelter by court order. The feral dogs mauled Sherry L. Allen Schweder, 65, a bibliographer with UGA libraries, while she walked down a dirt road Friday evening near her home on Georgia Highway 77 a couple of miles northeast of Lexington, Oglethorpe County Coroner James Mathews said Tuesday. The same pack of dogs overpowered and killed her husband, former UGA German professor Lothar Karl Schweder, 77, after he found his wife's body on the rural lane later that evening, Mathews said. Authorities plan to consult later this week to decide whether to bring charges against the man who cared for the dogs. Neighbors and the coroner said the dogs, who stayed at an unoccupied house on the end of the dead-end lane, roamed the area but didn't seem aggressive. "It's hard to say what triggered the attack because the dogs haven't been aggressive to anyone else," Mathews said. "No one knows exactly what happened. "The ones who know can't tell us." Sherry Schweder - known on campus as Sherry Allen - often would go for a walk on the lane, Howard Thaxton Road, neighbors said. A dog lover herself, she'd usually have her seven dogs with her, but she was alone Friday night when the dogs attacked, Mathews said. When she failed to return home, Lothar Schweder came looking for her in the family car and found her lying on the side of the road, Mathews said. He got out of the car and the dogs attacked him - he tried fighting the dogs off and may have tried to call for help on his cell phone, but the dogs overpowered him, Mathews added. Investigators found Sherry Schweder's bloody shirt underneath the car, which was abo Continue reading the rest of "Feral dogs euthanized; charges weighed after maulings" by Athens Banner-Herald © 2009 http://onlineathens.com - Athens Banner-Herald - All rights reserved. Rate This Article: Comment on "Feral dogs euthanized; charges weighed after maulings" Your Name Your Comments Verification Code: WCBMXY Enter Code:	This Site Is For Sale