MONTGOMERY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A Montgomery man is facing multiple charges after police say three pit bulls running loose repeatedly attacked people along Third Avenue, including a woman and her 4-year-old child, who was knocked to the ground during the frightening incident.
According to the Montgomery Police Department, officers responded to a vicious dogs complaint at approximately 2:23 p.m. on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in the area of 616 Third Avenue.
When officers arrived, they reportedly found three pit bulls at large and attacking a woman and her 4-year-old child. Police immediately intervened, separating the victims from the dogs and helping them take refuge inside a nearby smoke shop while waiting for animal control to arrive.
Approximately 10 minutes later, an animal control unit arrived and began gathering information about the incident.
While officers were investigating, another woman approached police and reported that she, a friend and a child had also encountered the same dogs while walking along Third Avenue.
According to the complaint, the woman told police the dogs chased them until they were able to reach a safe location. She then reportedly watched as the dogs left the area and attempted to attack another person.
The woman identified the dogs as belonging to Ronald Terrell and Kathleen Riddle, who police said lived at a residence on Fourth Avenue.
As officers and animal control prepared to capture the dogs, police say the animals suddenly returned and attacked the first woman and her 4-year-old child for a second time.
During the attack, the dogs allegedly knocked the child to the ground and had to be forcefully removed from the child.
Police said the child fortunately did not suffer serious injuries, crediting the quick response of officers, animal control personnel and civilians who helped during the incident.
The three dogs were eventually captured and secured inside the animal control vehicle. Those involved in the incident declined emergency medical treatment and provided written statements to investigators, according to the complaint.
Officers then attempted to determine who owned the dogs.
Police said Riddle claimed the dogs did not belong to her and instead belonged to her boyfriend, Terrell. Terrell, however, reportedly denied that the dogs belonged to him and claimed Riddle was the person who let them out of the house.
According to police, both acknowledged that the three dogs lived with them at their Fourth Avenue residence.
Terrell ultimately signed over his rights to the three dogs to animal control and was informed that the animals would be destroyed, according to the complaint.
Based on the investigation, Terrell is charged with three counts related to dogs running at large and one count of keeping vicious dogs.
The charges are allegations, and Terrell is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
