http://www.wsbtv.com/news/20428949/detail.html
* Images: Wild Dogs Attack Couple
Report: Dogs Killed Ex-UGA Professor, Wife
Posted: 9:37 am EDT August 17, 2009Updated: 5:51 pm EDT August 17, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ga. -- Preliminary autopsy results show that an ex-UGA professor and his wife apparently were killed by dogs, according to officials.
"Preliminary findings indicate both of the individuals died as a consequence of mauling injuries," State Medical Examiner Dr. Kris Sperry confirmed to Channel 2 Action News.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Regan took pictures of several of the wild dogs believed to be responsible for the attack.
Authorities said the couple found dead by Jehovah's Witnesses along a road in rural Oglethorpe County Saturday morning were 77-year-old Lothar Karl Schweder and his wife, 65-year-old Sherri L. Schweder.
SLIDESHOW: Wild Dogs Attack Couple
Wild Dogs Killed Ex-UGA Prof, Wife
County Coroner James Mathews said the bodies were found near the Schweders' home, where Sherri Schweder often walked pets along the road. Mathews said they both loved animals and may have been looking for a pet that wandered away.
Officials in Oglethorpe County said they believe the couple was attacked by a pack of wild dogs that were living around an abandoned house in the area.
“It’s a huge shock. A huge shock,” said the victims’ son, Mark Schweder.
Authorities said they believe Sherri Schweder was attacked by the pack of wild dogs as she went on her regular walk either Friday night or early Saturday. When she failed to return her husband, Lothar, went looking for her in his car.
Authorities he was attacked when he got out of the car by the same pack of dogs.
“It appears at this time, she was attacked and killed by the dogs and at some point, he possibly came up. But she was attacked first based on the location of the scene,” said Jim Fullington with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “Both bodies had numerous injuries that appeared to be animal related.”
Authorities said the dogs acted aggressively when they arrived to the scene. One deputy had to fire a shot to scare them away.
A man who owns the property where Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Regan located the dogs said they are not vicious. Neighbors weren’t so easily convinced.
“We’re really uneasy about this because it is so close to us,” said neighbor Lanier Bridges.
“They were wonderfully dear and kind-hearted people and we miss them. This is terrible,” said Mark Schweder.
A friend of the family said Lothar Karl Schweder was a retired University of Georgia German professor. William Potter, head of UGA libraries, said Sherri Schweder worked at the school's main library.
Copyright 2009 by WSBTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
* Images: Wild Dogs Attack Couple
Report: Dogs Killed Ex-UGA Professor, Wife
Posted: 9:37 am EDT August 17, 2009Updated: 5:51 pm EDT August 17, 2009
LEXINGTON, Ga. -- Preliminary autopsy results show that an ex-UGA professor and his wife apparently were killed by dogs, according to officials.
"Preliminary findings indicate both of the individuals died as a consequence of mauling injuries," State Medical Examiner Dr. Kris Sperry confirmed to Channel 2 Action News.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Regan took pictures of several of the wild dogs believed to be responsible for the attack.
Authorities said the couple found dead by Jehovah's Witnesses along a road in rural Oglethorpe County Saturday morning were 77-year-old Lothar Karl Schweder and his wife, 65-year-old Sherri L. Schweder.
SLIDESHOW: Wild Dogs Attack Couple
Wild Dogs Killed Ex-UGA Prof, Wife
County Coroner James Mathews said the bodies were found near the Schweders' home, where Sherri Schweder often walked pets along the road. Mathews said they both loved animals and may have been looking for a pet that wandered away.
Officials in Oglethorpe County said they believe the couple was attacked by a pack of wild dogs that were living around an abandoned house in the area.
“It’s a huge shock. A huge shock,” said the victims’ son, Mark Schweder.
Authorities said they believe Sherri Schweder was attacked by the pack of wild dogs as she went on her regular walk either Friday night or early Saturday. When she failed to return her husband, Lothar, went looking for her in his car.
Authorities he was attacked when he got out of the car by the same pack of dogs.
“It appears at this time, she was attacked and killed by the dogs and at some point, he possibly came up. But she was attacked first based on the location of the scene,” said Jim Fullington with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “Both bodies had numerous injuries that appeared to be animal related.”
Authorities said the dogs acted aggressively when they arrived to the scene. One deputy had to fire a shot to scare them away.
A man who owns the property where Channel 2 Action News reporter Tom Regan located the dogs said they are not vicious. Neighbors weren’t so easily convinced.
“We’re really uneasy about this because it is so close to us,” said neighbor Lanier Bridges.
“They were wonderfully dear and kind-hearted people and we miss them. This is terrible,” said Mark Schweder.
A friend of the family said Lothar Karl Schweder was a retired University of Georgia German professor. William Potter, head of UGA libraries, said Sherri Schweder worked at the school's main library.
Copyright 2009 by WSBTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
