EMMALENA, Ky. (LEX 18) — Detectives from the Kentucky State Police have determined that a Knott County teen who died of an apparent animal attack in February was killed by a pack of dogs.
Police used wildlife cameras and equipment to locate multiple dogs at an old mine site near the area the victim’s body was found. The dogs were transported to Kentucky River Animal Shelter where DNA specimens collected from those dogs were compared to evidence located on the victim.
Lab comparisons indicated that specimens from several of the dogs matched those found on the victim, police said.
Troopers responded to a Hazard residence on Feb. 19 after receiving a call about a possible animal attack on a child.
Officers and personnel with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Knott County Sheriff’s Office, Lifeguard Ambulance and Ball Creek Fire and Rescue also responded to the scene.
Upon arrival, troopers and first responders were led up a mountainside behind a residence where they located a 13-year-old boy who appeared to be fatally wounded.
Knott County Coroner Corey Watson responded to the scene and pronounced the victim deceased from suspected injuries associated with an animal attack.
Although a cause of death has been determined, the incident remains under investigation by Detective Robert Dials with K.S.P. Post 13.
