ROCKDALE, Texas (KWTX) — On April 7th, KWTX reported that two individuals in Milam County were indicted for their involvement in a deadly dog attack near Rockdale that occurred in December.
The Milam County Sheriff’s Department verified on Monday that on December 18th, 2024, an incident occurred where 88-year-old Delores Woolverton was assaulted and died as a result of being attacked by multiple dogs.
"We got a report about a group of dogs circling something that looked like a person. Our deputy officers went to check it out and discovered a deceased woman," stated Brett Eberhart, who serves as the public information officer for the sheriff’s department.
Through their probe, Eberhart discovered that the dogs implicated belonged to Joel Rubio and Terri Ann Frank. Both individuals were taken into custody on Tuesday following charges of a second-degree felony. “Lillian’s Law” .
Eberhart clarified, "We connected this incident to Lillian's Law because it was established that at least one of the dogs involved in attacking Mrs. Woolverton had been previously identified as a dangerous animal."
Dan Gattis, a previous member of the Texas House of Representatives, assisted in drafting this legislation after Lilian Stiles died after being attacked by multiple dogs. While she was cutting her grass in 2005, this incident occurred in Milam County.
"A group of pit bulls from nearby were roaming around the rural area, eventually pulling her off the riding lawnmower and attacking her in the front yard," he remembered.
Gattis states that the aim of this legislation is to ensure that dog owners are held responsible if their canine severely harms or fatalities a person.
"If an attack occurs away from your property, somewhere else, where you failed to keep your dogs under control—whether they weren’t contained or could roam freely and reach others—you would be held accountable," Gattis clarified.
Aiding in bringing justice to the families of Lillian, Delores, and numerous others, which Lillian's granddaughter, Jonna Stiles, expresses her gratitude for them being able to achieve now.
"It's sorrowful on one hand for those involved, I'm not exactly joyful, but I suppose I am relieved to see that my grandfather's and my aunt's efforts have finally paid off," Stiles mentioned.
The Milam County Sheriff’s Office has stated that in this latest incident, all seven dogs at the location were taken away and put down. Both Rubio and Frank have also been released from custody after posting bail.
