Topline: An Alabama Department of Public Health supervisor was one of two women killed by dogs belonging to a woman now facing prison.
Published: January 22, 2026 1:09 pm ET
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Left: Michele Sheeks, Center: Brandy Dowdy, Right: Summer Beard (via GoFundMe; Franklin County Jail; Laughlin Service Funeral Home)
RED BAY, AL — An Alabama woman faces up to 41 years in prison after a jury convicted her of manslaughter and negligent homicide for the 2022 mauling deaths of two women by her dogs.
Brandy Dowdy, 43, of Red Bay, was found guilty of one count of manslaughter and one count of criminally negligent homicide, according to News 19.
The jury also convicted her of two counts of violating Emily’s Law, an Alabama statute that increases penalties for owners of dangerous dogs involved in fatal or severe attacks.
The charges stem from the deaths of Summer Beard, 58, and Michele Sheeks, 44. Both women died from injuries sustained after being attacked by a pack of dogs belonging to Dowdy.
Beard was a longtime employee of the Alabama Department of Public Health. She was an environmental supervisor who had worked for the state for nearly 17 years.
Investigators said Beard was at Dowdy’s property on May 20, 2022, to follow up on a previous dog attack when the animals set upon her. “It is believed that Beard was attacked as she was attempting to contact the dog’s owner when she was killed by the dogs,” the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office stated.
The previous attack Beard was investigating involved Sheeks. On April 28, 2022, Sheeks was walking along County Highway 11 when she was mauled by the same pack of dogs.
Sheeks underwent medical treatment for months at a hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. She died from her injuries in July 2022.
Dowdy was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Beard. She was convicted of the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide for the death of Sheeks.
During the trial, defense attorneys argued that Dowdy was not the sole owner of the animals, according to ABC 33/40. Dowdy’s daughter, Abriana McMillian, testified that people frequently abandoned dogs in the rural area.
McMillian testified that her mother fed the abandoned dogs along with other animals. However, the lead investigator in the case testified that Dowdy owned the dogs responsible for the fatal injuries but could not specify which dogs in the pack were involved in the maulings.
Following the conviction, Dowdy was taken into custody to await sentencing. Her sentencing was originally scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026.
A judge rescheduled the hearing for April 28 after Dowdy’s attorney was unable to attend due to a medical emergency. According to the Franklin County Times, Dowdy also requested a new lawyer at that time.
Dowdy is currently receiving treatment for leukemia. The judge stated she may apply for release for medical treatments at a later date, according to WHNT.
Ryan Easterling, a spokesperson for the state health department, described Beard as an exceptional person and a dedicated team worker.
Wesley Sheeks, the husband of Michele Sheeks, told News 19 that his wife never had the chance to leave the hospital during her months of treatment.
Attorneys for Dowdy have announced they intend to appeal the verdict.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Fatal Follow-Up: Health Official Killed by Dogs She Was Sent to Investigate
An Alabama Department of Public Health supervisor was one of two women killed by dogs belonging to a woman now facing prison.
By Kate Byrd
Published: January 22, 2026 1:09 pm ET
Left: Michele Sheeks, Center: Brandy Dowdy, Right: Summer Beard (via GoFundMe; Franklin County Jail; Laughlin Service Funeral Home)
RED BAY, AL — An Alabama woman faces up to 41 years in prison after a jury convicted her of manslaughter and negligent homicide for the 2022 mauling deaths of two women by her dogs.
Brandy Dowdy, 43, of Red Bay, was found guilty of one count of manslaughter and one count of criminally negligent homicide, according to News 19.
The jury also convicted her of two counts of violating Emily’s Law, an Alabama statute that increases penalties for owners of dangerous dogs involved in fatal or severe attacks.
The charges stem from the deaths of Summer Beard, 58, and Michele Sheeks, 44. Both women died from injuries sustained after being attacked by a pack of dogs belonging to Dowdy.
Beard was a longtime employee of the Alabama Department of Public Health. She was an environmental supervisor who had worked for the state for nearly 17 years.
Investigators said Beard was at Dowdy’s property on May 20, 2022, to follow up on a previous dog attack when the animals set upon her. “It is believed that Beard was attacked as she was attempting to contact the dog’s owner when she was killed by the dogs,” the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office stated.
The previous attack Beard was investigating involved Sheeks. On April 28, 2022, Sheeks was walking along County Highway 11 when she was mauled by the same pack of dogs.
Sheeks underwent medical treatment for months at a hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. She died from her injuries in July 2022.
Dowdy was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Beard. She was convicted of the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide for the death of Sheeks.
During the trial, defense attorneys argued that Dowdy was not the sole owner of the animals, according to ABC 33/40. Dowdy’s daughter, Abriana McMillian, testified that people frequently abandoned dogs in the rural area.
McMillian testified that her mother fed the abandoned dogs along with other animals. However, the lead investigator in the case testified that Dowdy owned the dogs responsible for the fatal injuries but could not specify which dogs in the pack were involved in the maulings.
Following the conviction, Dowdy was taken into custody to await sentencing. Her sentencing was originally scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026.
A judge rescheduled the hearing for April 28 after Dowdy’s attorney was unable to attend due to a medical emergency. According to the Franklin County Times, Dowdy also requested a new lawyer at that time.
Dowdy is currently receiving treatment for leukemia. The judge stated she may apply for release for medical treatments at a later date, according to WHNT.
Ryan Easterling, a spokesperson for the state health department, described Beard as an exceptional person and a dedicated team worker.
Wesley Sheeks, the husband of Michele Sheeks, told News 19 that his wife never had the chance to leave the hospital during her months of treatment.
Attorneys for Dowdy have announced they intend to appeal the verdict.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Fatal Follow-Up: Health Official Killed by Dogs She Was Sent to Investigate
An Alabama Department of Public Health supervisor was one of two women killed by dogs belonging to a woman now facing prison.
By Kate Byrd
Published: January 22, 2026 1:09 pm ET
Left: Michele Sheeks, Center: Brandy Dowdy, Right: Summer Beard (via GoFundMe; Franklin County Jail; Laughlin Service Funeral Home)
RED BAY, AL — An Alabama woman faces up to 41 years in prison after a jury convicted her of manslaughter and negligent homicide for the 2022 mauling deaths of two women by her dogs.
Brandy Dowdy, 43, of Red Bay, was found guilty of one count of manslaughter and one count of criminally negligent homicide, according to News 19.
The jury also convicted her of two counts of violating Emily’s Law, an Alabama statute that increases penalties for owners of dangerous dogs involved in fatal or severe attacks.
The charges stem from the deaths of Summer Beard, 58, and Michele Sheeks, 44. Both women died from injuries sustained after being attacked by a pack of dogs belonging to Dowdy.
Beard was a longtime employee of the Alabama Department of Public Health. She was an environmental supervisor who had worked for the state for nearly 17 years.
Investigators said Beard was at Dowdy’s property on May 20, 2022, to follow up on a previous dog attack when the animals set upon her. “It is believed that Beard was attacked as she was attempting to contact the dog’s owner when she was killed by the dogs,” the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office stated.
The previous attack Beard was investigating involved Sheeks. On April 28, 2022, Sheeks was walking along County Highway 11 when she was mauled by the same pack of dogs.
Sheeks underwent medical treatment for months at a hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. She died from her injuries in July 2022.
Dowdy was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Beard. She was convicted of the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide for the death of Sheeks.
During the trial, defense attorneys argued that Dowdy was not the sole owner of the animals, according to ABC 33/40. Dowdy’s daughter, Abriana McMillian, testified that people frequently abandoned dogs in the rural area.
McMillian testified that her mother fed the abandoned dogs along with other animals. However, the lead investigator in the case testified that Dowdy owned the dogs responsible for the fatal injuries but could not specify which dogs in the pack were involved in the maulings.
Following the conviction, Dowdy was taken into custody to await sentencing. Her sentencing was originally scheduled for Jan. 6, 2026.
A judge rescheduled the hearing for April 28 after Dowdy’s attorney was unable to attend due to a medical emergency. According to the Franklin County Times, Dowdy also requested a new lawyer at that time.
Dowdy is currently receiving treatment for leukemia. The judge stated she may apply for release for medical treatments at a later date, according to WHNT.
Ryan Easterling, a spokesperson for the state health department, described Beard as an exceptional person and a dedicated team worker.
Wesley Sheeks, the husband of Michele Sheeks, told News 19 that his wife never had the chance to leave the hospital during her months of treatment.
Attorneys for Dowdy have announced they intend to appeal the verdict.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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