Judge-Ordered Removal of Pitbulls Ignored, Deadly Attack on Ashville Neighbor Led to Charges on Owner

Following a recent court order for the removal of two pit bull terriers from the residence of Susan and Adam Withers in Ashville, authorities reported responding to a call indicating that the dogs appeared to be under the influence of cocaine.

ABC6 News has acquired the legal documents submitted against Adam Withers in Circleville Municipal Court. Last week, authorities reported that his dogs escaped from his Kildow Court condominium and attacked Jo Ann Echelbarger, 73, who resided next door.

The prosecutor stated that Echelbarger was tending to her flower bed outside her home. She passed away at Grant Medical Center following severe injuries. Authorities reported the discovery of fragments of her scalp and ear at the location.

Following the tragic incident, authorities in Ashville have filed charges of involuntary manslaughter against Withers and his mother. Authorities revealed in legal filings that the identification tags for the dogs were registered under Susan Withers’ name.

Before the tragic incident on October 17, the Reserve at Ashton Village Condominium Association had issued multiple letters to the Withers since 2015, alerting them to complaints regarding their dogs being loose on the property and the necessity of keeping them leashed.

Last November, the association imposed several fines and subsequently mandated the removal of the dogs following allegations that they had bitten two individuals and caused the death of another dog in distinct incidents the previous year. This year, a civil lawsuit was initiated by the association against the Withers. The ruling in that matter mandated the dogs be taken away on September 11.

On September 27, two weeks later, Ashville Police arrived at Kildow Court and reported observing Adam Withers lying in the roadway accompanied by his dogs. His dogs were roaming free, and he seemed to be under the influence.

According to the court complaint, police reported that Withers confessed to consuming all of his cocaine just moments before their arrival. A dog faced challenges with mobility in its hind legs. Authorities stated, “I believe that both of the dogs were exposed to the drugs that Adam was taking.”

Judge-Ordered Removal of Pitbulls Ignored, Deadly Attack on Ashville Neighbor Led to Charges on Owner (1)
Susan Withers appears in court for his arraignment on involuntary manslaughter. October 22, 2024. (WSYX)

Authorities took Withers into custody and filed charges of disorderly conduct against him. The legal filings did not suggest that the dogs were ever taken away.

Several additional charges previously brought against Withers by Chief Dog Warden Preston Schumaker over the past year have been dismissed.

The allegations in each instance indicated that Withers breached the regulations concerning hazardous dogs related to insurance, confinement, and registration.

Certain breaches of that law may result in the termination of a perilous canine. In August of this year, the Circleville law director dismissed the most recent case brought against Withers by Chief Schumaker.

On Friday, Law Director Kendra Kinney informed ABC6 that the charges were improperly filed under the wrong subsection of the law.

Next week, preliminary hearings are set for both Adam and Susan Withers. The dog warden is set to appear in court for the upcoming hearings.

Reference