The Coffee County community is in shock after a horrifying incident on East Warren Street late Wednesday afternoon left a grandfather and his infant granddaughter severely injured. The attack, described by authorities as a brutal mauling by pit bulls, has shaken residents and sparked deep concern about public safety.
According to a press release from District Attorney General Craig Northcott, the Coffee County Communications Center received an emergency call around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 3. The caller reported that 50-year-old James Alexander Smith and his three-month-old granddaughter had been viciously attacked by multiple pit bulls at a home on East Warren Street. The severity of the situation prompted an immediate and urgent response from law enforcement and emergency medical personnel.
When first responders arrived, they found Smith and the infant with catastrophic injuries consistent with a violent animal attack. The scene was described as chaotic and deeply distressing as medics worked swiftly to stabilize both victims before transporting them for emergency medical treatment. Details regarding their current conditions have not yet been released, but officials confirm that both sustained life-threatening injuries.
Authorities are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack, including how the animals gained access to the victims and whether the dogs were properly contained or supervised. The identity of the dogs’ owner has not been officially released, and officials have not indicated whether any charges will be pursued as the investigation continues. Animal control officers responded to the location and took custody of the dogs involved in the mauling.
Neighbors on East Warren Street say the incident has left the community shaken. Many expressed disbelief and sorrow that such a violent attack could occur in their normally quiet neighborhood. The thought of an infant and her grandfather suffering such devastating injuries has sparked an outpouring of sympathy, prayers, and support for the family.
As investigators work to piece together what led to the tragic mauling, the community is rallying around the victims, hoping for healing and strength in the days ahead. What remains clear is that the aftermath of this heartbreaking attack will be felt deeply throughout Coffee County, where residents are now pleading for answers—and for justice for a family forever changed.
