News Summary
A Newport News man, Robert Keith Packer, was arrested following a dog attack that hospitalized four individuals. The incident involved aggressive dogs, prompting police intervention. Two dogs, puppies, and other animals were seized from Packer’s property. He faces multiple charges related to the attack and has a history of similar incidents. Witnesses described the attack as traumatic, highlighting ongoing community concerns about Packer’s animals. The investigation is ongoing with animal services overseeing the situation.
Newport News – A Newport News man has been arrested following a dog attack incident that left four individuals hospitalized on Monday evening. Robert Keith Packer, 54, was taken into custody on Thursday afternoon at his residence on Barbour Drive in the Hidenwood neighborhood. Police confronted Packer due to the serious nature of the attack, which had prompted emergency services to respond to a 911 call reporting aggressive dogs in the area.
The Newport News Police Department confirmed that the city’s Animal Welfare Department confiscated two dogs believed to have been involved in the attack, as well as another adult dog, six 11-week-old puppies, four live rabbits, and one deceased rabbit from Packer’s property during the arrest. Packer is currently facing multiple charges, including felony animal attack, three counts of dogs running at large, and two counts of failure to pay the city dog tax.
The attack occurred around 8 p.m. on Monday in the 0 block of Barbour Drive. Emergency responders found four individuals suffering from dog bite injuries; two of the victims required transportation to a nearby hospital for treatment. Reports indicate that a police officer at the scene fired a weapon at one of the dogs in an attempt to control the situation, but no injuries were reported from that decision.
Witnesses of the incident described the scene as traumatic, highlighting the desperate effort to assist a woman who was initially attacked and sustained severe injuries. Their accounts reflect a broader concern among community members about the safety of Packer’s dogs. Fears over possible encounters with the animals have been a recurrent theme among neighbors, especially given that Packer is facing a separate court case related to a prior attack involving his dogs earlier this year.
In that earlier incident, Packer’s dogs attacked Lindy Harper and her dog, Hogan, while they were out for a morning walk. This attack resulted in injuries to both the woman and her pet, further raising alarms within the community about Packer’s capacity to control his pets. Neighbors have expressed ongoing unease stemming from previous encounters with Packer’s dogs, which has elevated concerns about safety in the area.
Adding to Packer’s notoriety, he gained national attention after being photographed wearing a “Camp Auschwitz” sweatshirt during the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to illegal demonstrating at the Capitol and was sentenced to 75 days in prison, only to be pardoned by President Trump upon the latter’s return to office. This incident involved pardoning approximately 1,500 individuals charged or convicted in connection with the riot.
The investigation into the latest dog attack is being led by Newport News Animal Services, and the seized dogs will remain in custody as the inquiry continues. Meanwhile, Packer’s legal troubles are only exacerbated by his previous encounters with the law and the serious allegations he currently faces regarding the safety of his pets.
As details continue to emerge, the Newport News community remains alert, hoping for resolution and assurance that such incidents will not recur. The safety of residents remains a priority as law enforcement and animal welfare services collaborate to address the matters surrounding Packer’s animals.
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Additional Resources
- WTKR: Man Arrested Charged in Connection with Dog Attack
- Wikipedia: Newport News, Virginia
- 13 News Now: Neighbors Recount Newport News Dog Attack
- Google Search: Dog Attack Newport News
- Pilot Online: Jan 6 Convict Pardoned by Trump Arrested
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dog Attack
- Wavy: 4 People Suffering from Dog Bites
- Google News: Dog Attack Newport News
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WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
