Lawsuit Claims Authorities Ignored Red Flags Before Deadly Attack
An Ohio grandmother was brutally mauled to death by her neighbor’s pit bulls—later found to have been high on cocaine—while her husband, who suffers from dementia, watched helplessly.
The victim, JoAnn Echelbarger, 73, was peacefully gardening outside her home in Ashton Condominiums when the two pit bulls, Echo and Apollo, attacked her in October. According to a lawsuit filed by her family, the dogs had been roaming the condominium’s common areas freely when they suddenly charged at her.
Her husband, Stanley Echelbarger, who uses a wheelchair, could do nothing but watch as the vicious attack unfolded. He listened as his wife screamed for her life, pleading for help, while the dogs relentlessly tore at her body.
Even after police arrived at the scene and opened fire to try to stop the mauling, one of the dogs continued the attack, refusing to release its grip on JoAnn’s body.
Shocking Discovery: Pit Bulls Tested Positive for Cocaine
The lawsuit alleges that after the attack, both dogs were tested for drugs and were found to have cocaine in their system. This alarming discovery raised further questions about the owners’ responsibility and the potential role of drug exposure in the dogs’ violent behavior.
JoAnn’s daughter, Earlene Romine, described the devastating loss her family has suffered.
“She did not deserve this. She was tortured, and she suffered,” Romine said in an interview with ABC 6. “This is not what you expect your parent to go through. This is not what you expect to happen to anyone you love.”
The owners of the dogs, Adam Withers and his mother, Susan Withers, were both arrested and convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Echelbarger’s tragic death.
A History of Warnings and Red Flags
According to the lawsuit, multiple warnings about the Withers’ pit bulls were ignored by both local authorities and the condominium association. The complaint highlights several key red flags that were allegedly overlooked:
- Police Body Camera Footage: Officers responded to a report just weeks before the attack that the pit bulls had ingested cocaine belonging to Adam Withers.
- Repeated Complaints from Neighbors: Residents had expressed concerns about the dogs roaming freely in the area and their aggressive behavior.
- Failure to Enforce Removal Orders: The condominium association had ordered Withers to remove the dogs before the fatal attack, but he ignored the directive.
- Social Media Posts Mocking Authorities: The lawsuit includes screenshots of Adam Withers taunting building management, posting online that “humans are the problem” and making statements defending his dogs.
The filing also notes that law enforcement officers were frustrated with the local dog warden for failing to act. They allegedly attempted to take action against the Withers’ dogs before the attack occurred, but their efforts were stonewalled by unresponsive authorities.
Family Seeks Justice
Echelbarger’s family is now suing multiple parties, including:
- The Withers family for negligence and reckless endangerment
- The Ashton Condominium Association for failing to enforce its own policies on dangerous pets
- The county dog warden for ignoring previous reports about the pit bulls’ dangerous behavior
The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages exceeding $25,000 as well as punitive damages to hold the responsible parties accountable.
“Never ask a pit bull owner to choose between you and their pit bulls. Because they will choose, and it won’t be you,” one of Adam Withers’ Facebook posts read before the attack, according to the lawsuit.
Bill Rogers, Echelbarger’s son, is outraged that his mother had to suffer such a horrific fate despite so many warnings.
“How do you not look at them as villains responsible for killing your mom?” Rogers asked.
Authorities Under Fire for Alleged Negligence
Attorney Rex Elliot, who represents the Echelbarger family, accused local authorities of gambling with residents’ safety by allowing the dangerous dogs to remain in the neighborhood.
“We are looking for justice,” Elliot stated. “They had a responsibility to take those dogs out of there before something like this happened.”
The case has sparked a debate about pit bull ownership regulations, drug exposure in animals, and the responsibility of local authorities in preventing dangerous incidents.
Many are now questioning whether stronger laws are needed to prevent individuals with a history of negligent pet ownership from keeping large and potentially aggressive dog breeds.
Conclusion
The tragic and preventable death of JoAnn Echelbarger has left her family devastated and demanding accountability. Withers and his mother are already serving time for involuntary manslaughter, but the family’s lawsuit aims to bring justice beyond the criminal convictions.
While no legal action can bring JoAnn back, her family hopes that exposing the failures of authorities will help prevent another senseless loss of life in the future.