Winston the car-eating dog dies

Winston, the mixed-breed dog who became an international celebrity after he attacked a Chattanooga patrol car, has died. His owner said on her Facebook account, "It is with a very heavy heart that I must let you know that Winston passed away last night. Apparently he had a fairly rare heart condition where the muscle around his heart was too thick."

Winston became famous after a video of his attack outside a business on Workman Road off Rossville Boulevard went worldwide on YouTube. The story was carried on many major news outlets. Winston had been summoned to City Court in March for possible designation as a "dangerous dog."

To the applause of many, a deal was worked out in which the Emerling family got to keep Winston. In the incident, an officer was running radar on Workman Road when Winston charged out through the gate and began shaking the patrol car. Winston munched on the tyres and ate the front bumper.

He also attacked other patrol cars that were called in as backup. Officers tried to pepper spray Winston, then to tase him, but nothing calmed him down. Michael Emerling said at the time the family were grateful that the officers did not shoot Winston. He said, "In other areas near here, police have shot dogs for much less."