Missouri Agent Investigating Campsite Leads to Vicious Dog Attack

What began as an investigation into routine safety issues at a Missouri campsite by an agent resulted in something much worse. The agent and others were involved in a vicious attack by dogs.

Iron Mountain Lake is in the eastern part of the Mark Twain National Forest area of Missouri. It's one of the better camping areas in the state of Missouri.

On Thursday, April 24, 2025, a Missouri conservation agent was on patrol when safety issues were noticed leading to an investigation of campers. Jeff Crites, the Saint Francois County Sheriff, mentioned on his Facebook status update what happened next.

According to what the sheriff said, the agent learned that one of the campers had multiple outstanding warrants. When the agent tried to apprehend the suspect, the suspect fled and their dogs attacked the agent resulting in multiple lacerations. That's when the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Iron Mountain Lake Police, Park Hills Police K-9, Bismarck Police, Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Mineral Area Drug Task Force were called in to assist. The suspect was later found and also had minor injuries which they were treated for before being taken into custody.

The charges for the suspects now include assault 2nd Degree on a special victim, assault on a police animal, and resisting arrest for one of the ladies and assault 2nd Degree on a special victim, and resisting arrest for the other.