Former Demopolis man killed in dog attack

Former Demopolis resident Donald Thomas lost his life in Leeds Thursday when he was attacked by two of his neighbor’s dogs.

Thomas was reportedly checking his mail at his home on Weaver Avenue in Leeds when he was reportedly attacked by two Rottweiler dogs. Thomas’ wife was unable to fight off the dogs, which reportedly weighed more than 100 pounds each, and called the police. Thomas died on the scene.

The dogs were reportedly killed by the officer who responded to the scene. The dogs belong to the victim’s neighbor, who reportedly had more than two dozen other Rottweilers, on his property. Authorities confiscated all of the dogs and turned them over to Birmingham-Jefferson Animal Control Services.

Leeds Police Chief Byron Jackson was unaware if the dogs were part of a breeding operation. The dog owner was taken to police headquarters to be interviewed, but the investigation was not far enough along to determine if criminal charges would be filed.

Thomas, 82, retired from Gulf States Paper along with his wife, Sally, before leaving Demopolis and moving to Leeds to be closer to home. Thomas and his wife were active members of First Baptist Church during their time in Demopolis.