Woman, dog struck by lightning in Douglas County - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

A woman and a dog were both struck by lightning in separate incidents Monday evening as storms rolled through Douglas County.

Mary Ezzell, 59, is home recovering after she was struck by lightning while walking on Stembler Ridge near Heatherwood Court.

The Douglas County grandmother said she was walking home along the cart path with two of her teenage grandchildren, who were riding in a golf cart, when it started raining and lightning.

She was inches from a tree when lightning hit it. Ezzell said the electricity traveled through the ground, through her body and knocked her off her feet.

"I have a close relationship with the Lord, that's what saved me. I make my way to my alter every morning. God, he just did it. That's all I can tell you," said Ezzell.

Ezzell said the shock tore the retina in her left eye. She also suffered other minor injuries.

"I'm going to make a recovery and do better because of it," Ezzell said.

While Ezzell survived being struck by lightning, a dog named Fluffy did not.

Fluffy was inside her dog house when lightning struck a nearby tree and grounded to the dog house.  

"Out of nowhere this bright orange flash and the house rumbled. It was so loud and the house rumbled so hard, that a car alarm on the next street actually went off," said Fluffy's owner Richard Brannon.

Fluffy's owners told CBS Atlanta News that they didn't think their dog felt any pain when she was killed. 

"She was asleep when she was struck I don't think she felt anything. I think she died instantly," said Brannon. "We thought a house had been struck by lightning. Me and my dad ran out here to find Fluffy."

The family also issued the following statement:

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our sweet, 11-year-old Fluffy. She was our best friend and we will miss her always. Her barking through the night and making us chase her through the neighborhood is something we took for granted. Tonight (Monday), about 8 in the evening, lightning struck her while she was asleep in her doghouse and now, she is no longer with us. R.I.P. Fluffy (2000-2012)."

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