Woman arrested after allegedly harboring vicious dog
Published 12:00 am Sunday, May 29, 2005
An Ironton woman was arrested Wednesday after neighbors complained about her allegedly vicious dog and after she allegedly got vicious herself - with the city dog warden.
Selena M. Ellis, 43, of 1412 S. Ninth St., was arraigned Thursday in Ironton Municipal Court on one count of aggravated menacing and one count of obstruction of justice.
Ironton Police Sgt. Joe Ross said police received complaints a couple of weeks ago about Ellis' pit bull.
At that time, the dog was taken away and put in the Lawrence County dog pound. Ellis retrieved her dog from the pound but was advised at that time she could not keep the dog within city limits.
"She had a mean one," Ironton Dog Warden George Wilson said. "That is probably the meanest dog I've ever seen. … and I'd say it's a good 30 inches long, 125, 135 pounds. He is dangerous, very dangerous."
Ross said shortly after that, neighbors again began complaining about the dog.
"She was keeping it tied up with a rope and it had access to the sidewalk, with people walking by and kids riding their bikes past it," Ross said.
Wilson was called to retrieve the dog a second time and at that time, Ellis allegedly threatened to shoot him and turn the dog loose on him.
Because of the dog's viciousness, Ellis was ordered to place the dog herself in the dog warden's vehicle to be taken to the pound and several times refused before finally doing as she was ordered.
Ross said the dog was taken to the pound a second time and Ironton Municipal Court Judge O. Clark Collins has ordered that the animal must remain there until the case is closed.