A woman has been charged with manslaughter after her pit bull mauled her 76-year-old father to death in Vermont.
Stephen Campbell, who suffered from dementia, was attacked by the dog at his daughter Janna Campbell’s home in Essex Town. Authorities said the animal had a history of violent behaviour, having injured a number of other people in previous incidents.
Essex Police Department officers raced to the scene at around 3.20 p.m. on March 10, along with responders from Essex Rescue and the Essex Town Fire Department.
Police said the 43 year-old daughter had managed to stop the attack and secured her dog, named Jack, but it was too late. The elderly victim had sustained severe injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The pit bull has since been put down after the owner surrendered the animal to authorities.
Police said Jack was the subject of an Essex Town Selectboard hearing in January, having attacked a deliveryman and inflicted severe injuries.
Campbell was ordered to take action, including confining the dog when nonresidents came to her home and attending training for both her and Jack. She was also instructed to put up signage warning about the dog. Police said the owner had complied with the Selectboard’s orders.
But this was not an isolated incident, according to court documents obtained by WCAX, which said Jack had also attacked a home health worker.
The elder Campbell was living with his daughter and had struck the dog with a shoe before the fatal attack, the documents said.
“The Essex Police and Vermont Office of the chief medical examiner have completed the death investigation of Stephen Campbell (76) who had been attacked by his daughter Janna Campbell’s pet dog, “Jack” on March 10, 2026,” chief of police Ron Hoague said in a statement.
“Further investigation revealed Jack had a known pattern of violent behavior and had injured several others prior to causing the death of Mr Campbell.
“Essex Police, with guidance from the Chittenden County State’s Attorney Office, have arrested Janna Campbell (43) from Essex, Vermont. Janna was processed and released with a flash citation to appear at Chittenden County Superior Court, Criminal Division on June 16, 2026, to answer to the charges of Manslaughter and Reckless Endangerment.”
Following her court appearance this week, Campbell was released on the condition that she not own or care for any new dogs and is due to return in late August, WCAX reported. If convicted, she could face up to 15 years behind bars.
Her attorney Sandra Lee stressed her client has been trying to control the dog.
“We have a dog whose shown aggression and a dog owner who has done the best she can to deal with that situation,” Lee told WCAX.
More details here...
