ASHVILLE, OH – The family of Jo Ann Echelbarger is pursuing legal action after her tragic and preventable death in a vicious dog attack. On October 31, 2024, Jo Ann was mauled by two pit bulls, Apollo and Echo, while gardening outside her home in Ashville. She later suffered cardiac arrest due to the severity of her injuries and passed away at the hospital.
The dogs, owned by Mark and Sarah Withers, had a documented history of aggression. Since 2015, neighbors had filed multiple complaints about the animals running loose and acting aggressively in the Reserve at Ashton Village. In March 2023, one of the dogs bit a person, and in October 2023, the other killed another dog. Despite growing concerns and a legal injunction filed by the homeowners association (HOA) in April 2024, a Pickaway County judge’s ruling to remove the dogs was not enforced before the fatal attack occurred.
Seeking Justice Through Civil Action
In February 2025, the Withers were found guilty in a criminal trial, facing charges including involuntary manslaughter and failure to confine a dangerous dog. They were arrested and held on a $500,000 bond before trial, during which a jury found them guilty after several days of proceedings.
Now, Jo Ann’s family, represented by attorneys from Cooper Elliott, is filing a civil lawsuit against multiple defendants, including the condominium association, the property management company, and Pickaway County officials. The lawsuit seeks accountability for the systemic failures that led to Jo Ann’s death and aims to implement changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
During a press conference, attorneys Rex Elliott and Spencer Meador, along with Jo Ann’s family, will outline the details of the lawsuit, provide a timeline of events, and call for reforms in how aggressive dog complaints are handled by local authorities.
“Today’s verdict represents a step toward justice in the horrific and preventable attack that took the life of Jo Ann Echelbarger,” said Cooper Elliott attorneys. “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 failure to intervene cost Jo Ann Echelbarger her life. We demand accountability beyond this courtroom to prevent another senseless loss.”
Both dogs were euthanized following the attack, but Jo Ann’s family remains determined to hold all responsible parties accountable. This civil case represents their fight for justice and change to ensure no other family endures such a heartbreaking loss.
