By admin 
APEX, N.C. (WNCN) — The owner of the three dogs involved in a possible attack that left a woman dead in Chatham County Tuesday is facing misdemeanor charges, the sheriff’s office said.
Read more Triangle sees record heat for 4th straight day
According to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, 85-year-old Betty Alston was found dead outside of a home in the 200 block of Alston Road near Apex just before 11 a.m.
During the investigation, according to the sheriff’s office, a family member told deputies that he chased away three dogs in the yard near Alston’s body. The dogs were later seized and taken to a veterinary facility for evaluation and evidence collection.
Further investigation identified the dogs’ owner as 32-year-old Dennis O’Keith Faulkner, who also lives on Alston Road, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies said they charged Faulkner with three counts of allowing animals to roam away from their owner and three counts of not having a dog vaccinated against rabies, both misdemeanor offenses.
According to warrants filed by the sheriff’s office, Faulkner is accused of letting his dogs wander off his property unrestrained, leading to an animal attack. The warrants do not identify who was attacked.
As of Wednesday afternoon, officials have not released a cause of death for Alston.
Faulker was taken into custody on Wednesday and given $15,000 secured bond. His first appearance in Chatham County court is scheduled for May 27, according to records.
Read more Pittsboro to end contract with Flock Safety for license plate reader
The investigation is ongoing and more charges may be filed.