Woman found lying on front porch had been attacked by 10 to 15 dogs, TN cops say

Witnesses are credited with saving a 71-year-old woman’s life when they intervened to pull a pack of attacking dogs away from her, according to investigators in East Tennessee.

The attack happened Saturday, Sept. 6, at a rural home near Madisonville and the victim, Mary Norwood, was hospitalized, Monroe County Sheriff Tommy Jones said in a Sept. 7 news release.

“Upon arrival, deputies located a 71-year-old female lying on the front porch of the residence. The victim had severe lacerations to her body as a result of a dog attack from multiple dogs,” Jones said.

“Witnesses advised there were approximately 10-15 pit bull mix dogs involved in the attack. Witnesses and other by-standers were able to corral the dogs away from the victim following the attack. ...The female victim was treated on scene and subsequently transported to the University of Tennessee Hospital.”

An investigation resulted in two men and two women being charged with having animals at large resulting in a serious injury, which is a felony, officials said. Pending charges include 12 counts of having dogs without rabies vaccinations and 26 counts of animal cruelty, Jones said in an update.

A woman among the suspects is also facing charges of introducing contraband into a penal facility and possession of drug paraphernalia, he said.

Animal control officers confiscated 27 dogs in all, including 13 puppies, Jones said. One of the 27 dogs belongs to the victim, but investigators did not report whether that dog was involved in the attack.

Madisonville is about a 30-mile drive west from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

This story was originally published September 8, 2025 at 7:31 AM.