A phone call late on a quiet Tuesday evening changed the Guinn family’s life in a matter of minutes. Hilary Guinn remembers the panic in her husband’s voice when he called her, unable to explain what had happened beyond urging her to come home immediately. When she arrived at their Lookout Valley property, she was confronted with a scene she says still feels unreal. Several of her animals lay dead or gravely injured after what authorities believe was a violent attack by two pit bulls that had entered their farm.
The Guinns raise goats, chickens, and other domestic animals, and the small farm has long been a place of routine, care, and familiarity. That sense of safety was shattered in a single evening, leaving behind loss, unanswered questions, and renewed concerns about loose dogs in the area. The attack unfolded quickly. Guinn’s husband first heard loud noises coming from the goat pen, a sound that immediately signaled trouble. When he opened the shed door, one of the dogs rushed out, startling him. Inside, the damage had already been done.
Five goats had been attacked; only one survived. Two chickens were also killed before the dogs made their way into the pen. Guinn later described the moment as something out of a horror movie, saying she felt shocked and frightened by what she saw. For the family, the event was not only traumatic but deeply personal, as the animals were part of their daily lives and livelihoods. The Guinns believe the dogs belonged to a neighbor and had escaped from a nearby yard.
As one of the pit bulls fled the scene, Guinn’s husband fired a shot that struck the dog in the leg. One of the animals was later located and taken into custody by the local animal shelter, while the second dog remained missing at the time of the interview. The incident has since drawn attention from neighbors and local authorities, with multiple residents reporting similar encounters involving loose dogs in the valley. For Guinn, the attack is not an isolated tragedy but part of a broader pattern that she says has gone unaddressed for too long.
The Night of the Attack and Its Immediate Aftermath
The hours following the attack were marked by urgency and uncertainty. With several goats critically injured and no immediate access to a veterinarian, the Guinn family turned to their community for help. Hilary Guinn posted on Facebook, hoping someone might know what to do or where to turn. A woman she had never met responded and came directly to the farm. Together, they worked through the night trying to save the remaining animals. The woman contacted a friend who had experience caring for injured goats and maintained what Guinn described as a kind of informal “goat ICU,” complete with medications and supplies gathered from past rescue efforts.
Despite their efforts, only one goat survived. Hilary Guinn said the woman stayed with them throughout the night, offering both practical assistance and emotional support. In the absence of immediate veterinary care, the situation highlighted the vulnerability of small farm owners when emergencies occur after hours. For Guinn, the experience underscored how quickly a routine evening can turn into a crisis and how dependent rural and semi-rural communities can be on informal networks during emergencies.
Law enforcement was contacted shortly after the attack. Officers referred the case to a detective associated with the McKamey Animal Center, which handles animal control matters in the area. During Guinn’s interview about the incident, she received a call from the detective confirming that one of the dogs involved had been found and was now in the custody of the shelter. The second dog, however, had not yet been located. The uncertainty surrounding the missing animal added to the family’s distress, as Guinn worried about the possibility of another attack.
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As news of the incident spread online, Guinn began hearing from neighbors who said they had experienced similar problems. Some reported their own animals being threatened or attacked by loose dogs, while others described close calls involving pets or livestock. According to Hilary Guinn, many residents expressed frustration over what they see as a lack of accountability among dog owners who allow their animals to roam freely. These accounts reinforced her belief that the issue extends beyond her own property and represents a wider safety concern for the community.
A Pattern of Loose Dogs and Community Concerns
Hilary Guinn says the Lookout Valley area has struggled for years with loose dogs, particularly in more rural sections where fencing and enforcement can be inconsistent. She believes the attack on her goats is part of a recurring problem that places both animals and people at risk. In her view, irresponsible ownership, including failure to properly fence yards or leash dogs, has created an environment where incidents like this are almost inevitable.
The Guinn family’s loss was not their first experience with such violence. This marks the second time they have lost goats to a dog attack, a fact that has deepened their frustration and resolve. Rebuilding after one incident is difficult enough; facing a second has forced them to confront the possibility that the problem will persist unless meaningful changes are made. Hilary Guinn has emphasized that her goal is not retaliation but accountability.
She wants dog owners to understand the consequences of failing to control their animals and for authorities to take reports of loose dogs seriously before attacks occur. Neighbors who contacted Hilary Guinn after the incident described a range of experiences, from dogs chasing livestock to aggressive behavior near homes. While not all of these encounters resulted in injuries, they have contributed to a sense of unease in the area. For families who keep animals, the fear is constant. Even for those without livestock, the presence of roaming dogs raises concerns about children, pets, and general safety.
Animal control agencies often face challenges balancing enforcement with limited resources, particularly in areas that blend residential and agricultural land. Guinn’s case has drawn attention to these difficulties, highlighting the need for clearer communication between residents and authorities. She believes that stronger enforcement of leash laws and fencing requirements could prevent future tragedies, sparing both livestock and dogs from harm.
Seeking Accountability and Preventing Future Tragedies
In the days following the attack, Hilary Guinn made a deliberate decision to share her story publicly. She hopes that by speaking out, she can encourage others to report similar incidents and push for changes that will improve safety in the valley. Her focus remains on ensuring that both dogs involved are located and placed in custody, not only to protect other animals but also to prevent the dogs from being injured or killed in future confrontations.
Hilary Guinn has expressed gratitude for the support she received from strangers and neighbors alike, particularly those who stepped in to help during the immediate crisis. At the same time, she remains firm in her determination to see the case through. She has said she does not plan to give up and will continue working with authorities until the situation is resolved. For her, accountability means more than addressing one incident; it means creating conditions that reduce the likelihood of similar attacks in the future.
The loss of four goats and two chickens represents a significant emotional and financial blow for the Guinn family. Beyond the immediate cost, the attack disrupted the sense of security they once felt on their own property. Rebuilding trust in their surroundings will take time, and Guinn acknowledges that the memory of that night will not easily fade. Still, she believes that sharing what happened is an important step toward change.
As the investigation continues, the case serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with pet ownership, particularly in communities where animals and people live in close proximity. Guinn’s experience illustrates how quickly negligence can lead to irreversible harm. By holding those responsible accountable and advocating for stronger preventive measures, she hopes to protect other families from enduring the same loss.