Update: Following weeks of detailed investigating and evidence collection, Kentucky State Police (K.S.P.) Post 13 personnel are able to advise the cause of death of a Knott County teenager killed by an apparent animal attack in February of this year.
With assistance from Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Officers, Kentucky State Police Detectives were able to utilize wildlife cameras and equipment to locate multiple dogs on an old mine site near the area the victim’s body was found. The dogs were transported to Kentucky River Animal Shelter. 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. This incident remains under investigation by Detective Robert Dials with K.S.P. Post 13.
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Emmalena, Ky. (February 19, 2020) – Detectives with Kentucky State Police Post 13, in Hazard are investigating an apparent animal attack that resulted in the death of a Knott County teenager. Troopers responded to a residence on Montgomery Creek Road in the Emmalena community after Post 13 received a call shortly after 6:00 p.m. advising of 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 male subject 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.
An autopsy was performed on the juvenile at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort this morning. Cause of death was initially determined to be from injuries consistent with an animal attack, though a specific animal identification was not determined. Additional information and details will be released when available. Detective Robert Dials with KSP Post 13 is leading this investigation.
