CIRCLEVILLE, OH – Susan and Adam Withers, the Ashville dog owners found guilty in connection with the fatal dog attack on 73-year-old JoAnn Echelbarger, have been sentenced to 14 years in prison. The sentencing follows their conviction on charges of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of failure to confine a dog.
The Pickaway County jury delivered the guilty verdict on Friday, following a trial that detailed the tragic events of October 31, 2024. On that day, the Withers’ two pit bulls, Apollo and Echo, mauled Echelbarger as she worked in her garden. The severity of the attack led to Echelbarger suffering cardiac arrest, and she later died at the hospital.
The trial revealed a disturbing history of incidents involving the Withers’ dogs. Neighbors in the Reserve at Ashton Village had repeatedly raised concerns about the dogs running loose and exhibiting aggressive behavior since 2015. In March 2023, Echo bit a person, and in October 2023, Apollo killed another dog.
Despite these warnings, the Withers defended their dogs, claiming they were provoked. The neighborhood homeowners association (HOA) eventually sought a legal injunction in April 2024 to have the animals removed. A Pickaway County Judge ruled in September 2024 that the dogs must be removed, but the fatal attack occurred before the order could be enforced.
Following the attack, both dogs were euthanized, and the Withers were arrested and held on a $500,000 bond at the Pickaway County Jail. They had pleaded not guilty to all charges. The jury’s guilty verdict on the felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and the related failure to confine a dog charges led to the 14-year prison sentence.
The case has drawn significant attention from the community, with many seeking justice for Echelbarger. Attorneys Rex Elliott and Spencer Meador, representing the Echelbarger family in a civil case, emphasized the preventable nature of the tragedy.
“Today’s verdict represents a step toward justice in the horrific and preventable attack that took the life of Jo Ann Echelbarger. While the court has found the Withers guilty, we must recognize that this tragedy should never have happened in the first place. For years, residents and neighbors sounded the alarm about these dangerous dogs. Yet, their concerns were ignored by those in power—the HOA and the dog warden—who had both the responsibility and the authority to take action. The failure to intervene cost Jo Ann Echelbarger her life. We demand accountability beyond this courtroom to prevent another senseless loss,” they stated.
The 14-year prison sentence for Susan and Adam Withers marks the end of the criminal proceedings in this tragic case.
