A man was charged on Wednesday in the investigation into an apparent animal attack that killed a woman the day before in Apex.
An 84-year-old woman was found dead on Tuesday morning on Alston Road with three dogs nearby. Deputies on Wednesday described the investigation as an "apparent" animal attack but did not immediately determine that the dogs were responsible.
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The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman as Betty Alston.
Alston's family members told WRAL News off-camera that neighbors had called animal control about those dogs. According to deputies, another family member told them they had to chase the dogs away from the property.
Deputies later identified the dogs' owner as 32-year-old Dennis O'Keith Faulkner.
Two Sheriff's Deputies were at a home at the end of Alston Road for over an hour on Wednesday afternoon. A sign outside the front door of that home said, "Dog on premises."
Deputies charged Faulkner with three counts of misdemeanor allowing animals to roam at large and three counts of misdemeanor dog/cat/ferret vaccination violations. Deputies told WRAL News that more charges could be possible.
The State Medical Examiner's Office is assisting with the investigation, which deputies say is ongoing.
The Sheriff’s Office said the dogs were seized and taken to a veterinary facility for evaluation and evidence collection.
