HARTFORD, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A woman is facing multiple charges after an alleged violent altercation involving a shovel attack, a dog dispute, and unauthorized entry into a home in Hartford, Mason County.
Police were called to Tyler Street after a passerby, later identified as Isaac Leo, reported seeing a man and woman physically fighting in the yard. Leo told dispatchers the woman was hitting the man with a shovel.
When Patrolman Taylor arrived, he detained the woman, identified as Savannah McDaniel, and spoke with the man involved, Mel Richards. Witnesses stated that McDaniel accused Richards of stealing her dog and then began assaulting him repeatedly, including swinging a shovel and attempting to steal items from his yard.
According to Richards, McDaniel first appeared outside his home taking videos. She then entered his yard, referred to his dog as her own, and tried to take the dog. When the dog returned to Richards, McDaniel allegedly became aggressive—biting him, scratching him, pulling his beard, and hitting him with objects, including a dog toy and the shovel.
Richards told officers that McDaniel entered his residence multiple times, attacked him inside, and later tried to break down his door and windows. When he reopened the door, she reportedly fell inside and injured herself.
Witness Isaac Leo stepped in to break up the altercation and disarmed McDaniel of the shovel before she walked off. Officers observed visible injuries on Richards, including a bite wound, facial lacerations, and scratches. Items belonging to McDaniel, such as sunglasses, a vape, a hair clip, and a bloody rag, were found on the property. Inside the home, the shovel and dog toy used in the assault were also located.
McDaniel was taken into custody and transported to Mason Metro PD for questioning. After being read her Miranda rights, she admitted to the fight but said she didn’t know Richards and was trying to retrieve what she claimed was her stolen dog. She also admitted she may have entered his home but was unsure due to intoxication.
Police later discovered active warrants (capiases) for McDaniel out of Jackson County. She was booked and transported to Western Regional Jail
