Pack of Wild Dogs Kills Georgia Couple in Separate Attacks

Sherry Schweder had told friends and neighbors that she was worried about a pack of wild dogs that had been wandering near her rural Georgia home. Authorities believed that she was attacked and killed by the same pack of dogs as she walked on a lightly traveled road near her home. When she didn't return from her walk as expected, her husband, Lothar Schweder, went out looking for her.

Investigators believe that Lothar found his wife's body and while trying to help her, he was also attacked by the dogs and killed. Initial autopsy reports suggest that both of them died as a result of dog bites and associated trauma. Police believe that Lothar had tried to use his cell phone during the attack but was unsuccessful.

A man that lives near the Schweders had been feeding the dogs and he told police that the dogs had never exhibited any form of aggressive behavior toward him. But officials from the humane society have been quick to point out that the pack mentality sometimes kicks in and can have deadly results. One dog can become agitated and it can stir up a frenzy among the rest of the dogs in the pack. If the dogs viewed the Schweders as a threat, they would likely attack and not stop until they were killed.

So far, 16 dogs have been captured who are believed to be part of the pack that killed the Schweders. Two more dogs are being sought and local authorities are carrying out court-ordered euthanizations of the captured dogs.