More details released on mauling of Ottumwa girl

Ottumwa police have released more information on the death of toddler killed by a dog. Twenty-one-month-old Sharlie Shepherd was killed by a pit bull terrier. During a news conference, Sergeant Mike Tupper said officers found Sharlee in the family’s back yard. Tupper says though they had a pretty good idea, it wasn’t certain which of the family’s two dogs attacked the girl. An autopsy will be performed. Both animals were put to sleep by a local vet. Police information officer Tom Rogers says officials will gather all the details before closing the case.They’ll do an autopsy this morning. The city of Ottumwa has clear rules on keeping such animals confined, though it appears the family may have followed those rules properly. He says city code’s clear on confining pit bulls and other things classes as dangerous animals. He says the “dangerous” list includes lions, tigers and bears, literally, as well as pit bull terriers, which can only be owned with strict limitations like permission to keep them as a guard dog, and they must be cages and when they’re taken out must be leashed and muzzled.