News Release from: Clackamas Co. Sheriff's Office

Estacada woman, 87, attacked by four dogs

Posted: June 2, 2008, 5 p.m.

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UPDATE: The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office has received word from Clackamas County Dog Control personnel that the animals that reportedly attacked an 87-year old Estacada woman are now in Dog Control custody.

In these types of situations, Clackamas County Dog Control will typically conduct its own formal investigation The animals will be cared for by Dog Control personnel for the required "quarantine period" of 10 days.

The 87-year old victim, Stella Severtsen, is reportedly resting comfortably and is in stable condition at Portland Adventist Hospital.
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On Saturday, May 31 2008 at 7:25 p.m., Estacada resident Stella A. Severtsen, 87, was taking her nightly stroll on SE Divers Road when she was attacked and bitten by four dogs.

The dogs had escaped from an enclosed 8'-tall chain-link kennel area.

A citizen who witnessed the event came to Severtsen's aid and

Barbara Ann Richardson, who resides at 32122 SE Divers Road, witnessed this event and came to Severtson's aid, then alerted emergency personnel, who responded at the scene.

Richardson reports that she saw the dogs surrounding and aggressively attacking Severtsen. As soon as Richardson approached the dogs, they reportedly began to wag their tails and were very friendly. Richardson then directed attention away from Severtson, who was injured and on the ground.

Estacada Fire personnel responded to the scene, and administered medical attention to Stella Severtsen's left arm, right arm and left leg. She was transported from the scene by ambulance to Portland Adventist Hospital.

Mark Andrew Byram and Luke Allen Byram own the four dogs involved in the attack, and reside at 32720 SE Divers Road in Estacada. Both owners responded to the incident location, and were very cooperative with rescue personnel on-scene.

Mark and Luke Byram told authorities that the four canines wandered onto their property several years ago, and they began caring for the dogs at that time. All the animals were reportedly vaccinated, well-cared-for and secured in the 8' kennel on the Byram property.

The Byram family says it is concerned about this type of aggressiveness displayed by the animals -- adding that perhaps it would be in everyone's best interest to "voluntarily euthanize the animals" to prevent any future attacks.

This is the first reported incident of this type concerning these animals.

[END]

Jim Strovink, Detective
Public Information Officer
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office