Dog Killed, Owner Arrested After 'Vicious' Attack

LAKELAND, FL — One pit bull-type dog was shot and killed and another seized by authorities after a Lakeland Electric employee was “viciously” attacked Monday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies say Linda Dionne, 59, of Lakeland Electric went out to a home in the 900 block of Fish Hatchery Road shortly after 11 a.m. Feb. 13. Shortly after her arrival, Dionne activated the emergency button on her Lakeland Electric radio in an attempt to hail Lakeland Police, the sheriff's office wrote in an email to media.

Officers who responded to the call also notified the sheriff’s office because the address was outside city limits, the email noted.

The first deputy on the scene found “an active dog attack/mauling in progress” on the home’s front porch. The deputy was able to pull the creature off Dionne, the email said, but the dog began trying to attack the deputy.

“The deputy shot and killed the attacking dog,” the email said.

The sheriff’s office said there was a second pit bull-type dog in the yard. After the shooting, that dog “menacingly approached responding law enforcement officers,” the email said. Two deputies and one Lakeland Police officer shot at the dog, but the animal retreated under the house.

Authorities were eventually able to take the second dog into custody without it or anyone else getting injured.

While deputies remained on the scene, they say Matthew Overton, 21, returned home. He was later charged with a third-degree felony because the animal that was shot and killed had been previously declared dangerous. Overton, the sheriff’s office said, did not properly secure the dog and failed to have warning signs posted on the property.

The dog was declared dangerous by Polk County Animal Control following a June 27, 2016, incident during which a person was bit, deputies said.

Dionne was taken to Lakeland Regional with serious lacerations on her arms and legs. She is expected to be released from the hospital soon, authorities say.

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November 2016 booking photo of Matthew Overton courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office