Man trying to stop fighting dogs is killed in struggle with another man, KY cops say

A 61-year-old was killed in a struggle with another man after dogs got into a fight in a parking lot, Kentucky police say.

The incident happened Tuesday, Jan. 14, the Williamsburg Police Department said in a news release.

Investigators say two dogs started fighting in the parking lot of an apartment complex and two men, Richard Cox and 41-year-old Brian Randle, tried to break up the fight.

But Cox and Randle got into a “physical altercation” that proved fatal, according to police, as “Cox immediately died following the altercation.”

Based on witness accounts, police believe Randle started the altercation, WDKY reported. Witnesses also told police they heard Cox saying “get off me” during the struggle, according to the outlet.

“Randle has been arrested and charged with Murder and lodged in the Whitley County Detention Center,” police said.

An investigation is ongoing.

Williamsburg is a roughly 100-mile drive south from Lexington.

This story was originally published January 15, 2025 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Man trying to stop fighting dogs is killed in struggle with another man, KY cops say."