Community Corner

Around the Region: Wheelchair-Bound Woman Assaulted, Horse Attacked by Pit Bulls and Unattended Candle Causes Fire

A look at stories from across Metro Atlanta and northeast Georgia.

– Tucker Patch

The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Squad and Crime Stoppers Atlanta is asking for the public's help in finding Donnie Bess, a suspect being charged with aggravated sodomy, robbery and aggravated assault against a 70-year old wheelchair-bound Decatur woman.

The warrant, according to the release, alleges that the crimes were committed on Sept. 26 by Bess, 54, on Glenwood Road in unincorporated Decatur, and also states that the suspect assaulted the victim by choking and punching her in the face.

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He allegedly continued his assault by forcing the victim to have oral sex with him, the sheriff's office information says.

Bess is 6 feet tall and weighs between 180 and 220 pounds. He is known for doing lawn work and small maintenance jobs in the DeKalb and surrounding metro areas.

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Investigators say any information on the case can be submitted anonymously to the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tip line at 404-577-TIPS (8477), online www.crimestoppersatlanta.org or by texting CSA and the tip to CRIMES (274637).

 

– Cumming Patch

Two pit bulldogs, that viciously attacked a 14-month-old horse in a pasture in northwest Forsyth County last week, remain quarantined at the .

The horse was so badly injured and lost so much blood it later died from its injuries, according to authorities.

The incident happened on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 3620 Watson Road after a passerby saw the two dogs mauling the horse and alerted 911.

"When the sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene, one of the deputies noticed that both of the dogs were still attached to the horse," said Lt. David Waters with the .

Animal control officers attempted first aid on the horse, but the animal’s injuries were too severe.

The owner of the pit bulls has received three citations (failure to vaccinate an animal, and two for "animal-at-large" meaning the animals were off the property), all misdemeanors.

 

– Barrow Patch

A Barrow County resident returned home Sunday, Oct. 16, to find a candle that had been left burning had started a small fire.

The homeowner was able to use a fire extinguisher to put the fire out, which occurred at a residence on Azalea Drive. 

“With October being Fire Prevention Month, this fire highlights an i,” Barrow County Emergency Services Lt. Rob Nowakowski said in a news release. “Never leave candles burning unattended.”

Candles cause an estimated 15,600 house fires every year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. These fire result in 1,270 injuries and more than $500 million dollars in damage.


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