A quiet Saturday night on Shelton Street turned violent when a pit bull burst through a front door and attacked a 12-year-old girl in Covington, leaving her with serious injuries and a shaken neighborhood.
Police say the child suffered major wounds to her arm, chest, and face. She was airlifted to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis for advanced treatment. A passing Good Samaritan managed to pull the dog off her, and neither the rescuer nor responding officers were injured. The animal was later recaptured and is now under quarantine.
Police Account of the Attack
Officers were called to the 100 block of Shelton Street on Saturday for a report of a pit bull running at large. According to a Facebook post by the Covington Police Department, the dog bolted out of a residence as someone opened the front door and went after the child almost immediately.
Tipton County Animal Control took custody of the dog after officers recaptured it, and it is now being quarantined at the county shelter. Police initially described the girl's injuries as significant, then later confirmed that she was released from the hospital on Monday night.
Dog Quarantined at County Shelter
Tipton County Animal Control provides animal-control services within Covington, including quarantines and impounds, according to the City of Covington. The Tipton County Animal Shelter, located at 8621 Highway 51 S. in Brighton, is serving as the holding location for the dog while officers and animal-control staff continue their investigation.
The city also reiterates that dogs must be kept on a leash inside Covington city limits, a rule that takes on a sharper edge in light of this weekend's attack.
Owner Charged, Court Date Set
Police identified the dog's owner as 44-year-old Takelia Holland. According to the same Facebook post by the Covington Police Department, Holland met with detectives on May 11, was transported to Tipton County Jail, and was formally charged with allowing animals to run at large and failure to vaccinate.
Holland's bond was set at $2,500. She is scheduled to appear on Thursday at 9 a.m. in Tipton County General Sessions Court. Detectives said they coordinated with the 25th Judicial District attorney's office because of the seriousness of the attack.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Covington Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (901) 475-1261.
Local Rules and What Residents Should Know
Covington's animal-control guidance spells out the city leash law and explains how to report loose animals or surrender pets to the county shelter, according to the City of Covington. Neighbors who encounter loose or aggressive dogs are urged to call local dispatch or Tipton County Animal Control instead of trying to handle the situation themselves.
Police are asking anyone with video or eyewitness accounts of the attack to contact detectives as the investigation continues.
According to authorities, the same dog has a documented history of running at large, including a 2021 incident that resulted in the death of another dog, a detail that has rattled neighbors who fear a pattern of repeat problems. Investigators say vaccination records and animal-control procedures will be part of their review as they determine what further legal or civil action may follow.
