From my cold, dead fingers!
Posted on 12/23/2005 10:47:16 AM PST by JZelle
SPOTSYLVANIA, Va. -- A dog owner was convicted yesterday of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to three years in prison for allowing her pit bulls to run loose and fatally maul an 82-year-old woman. The conviction against Deanna Large, 37, of Partlow, marks the first time in Virginia that a dog owner has been convicted of manslaughter for the actions of a pet. Circuit Judge Ann Hunter Simpson has the option to reduce the sentence when Large is formally sentenced on Feb. 24, but she cannot increase it. Spotsylvania County Commonwealth's Attorney William F. Neely had asked for the maximum sentence of 10 years, but said he was pleased with the jury's decision. He said he rarely asks a jury to impose a maximum term, but felt compelled to do so because of the horrific nature of the crime and to establish a precedent in such cases. Mr. Neely said victim Dorothy Sullivan's injuries were "horrible." "She was literally torn to pieces," he said. "They were the worst injuries I've seen in 23 years as a prosecutor." During the two-day trial, jurors saw autopsy photos that showed pieces of Mrs. Sullivan's scalp torn away, chunks of flesh torn from her arm and thigh, and bites on her ankle down to the bone. Large lowered her head slightly when the verdict was read. She wiped away tears later in the day as the trial entered its sentencing phase.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Another tragic story of the Dog of Peace.
Is it unfair to put pit-bulls in 'exotic' category like Tigers and Lions?
I hope people don't equate owning Pit-Bulls to second ammendment.
We don't allow people to let their pet Tigers run around loose, so why can't the Pit-Bulls be put in same dangerous category, and treated differently with special requirements for safety.
Any thoughts?
Oh, I'm glad to see this. Pit bulls are bad enough, but when an owner allows them to run loose, they should be held liable for any injuries or deaths they cause.
I have a rule. Any pitbull loose on my property is a dead pitbull. It's an inviolable rule. I will not have a loose pitbull on my property and let it live.
I'm surprised that it was "involuntary" manslaughter.
The breed ought to be exterminated.
From my cold, dead fingers!
So Cute!
Dog looks pretty good too!
Don't think it could even maul a rat...
Good rule, just enacted here also.
I certainly don't equal pet ownership to the Second Amendment.
But surely the most ardent defender of our inalienable rights would temper their zeal by recognizing the need for safety and responsibility. In that respect pet owners have obligations also.
If gun owners can be held accountable why not pet owners?!!
Leave loaded guns laying around in the front yard -- what's the difference. Well, at least someone picking up the gun and using it could do it in one shot.
I have dogs, and one is a pit mix rescued from the ghetto. Wonderful dog, but she's crated when I'm away and never is out of the house without restraint (even though she's never exhibited aggressive behavior). I don't necessarily think pits should be banned, but irresponsible ownership should be punished. The simple fact is that there are numerous breeds capable of killing a healthy adult, let alone an 82 year old woman. The pit bull breed is not entirely unique.
I love dogs. That said, I used to buy into the theory that dogs are only as mean as their owner trains them to be. That changed.
I have some friends who had several pit bulls. Those dogs were totally spoiled and coddled. Once while visiting these friends, I noticed one in a pen separate from the others. WHen I questioned this, I was told that this particular dog was very jealous of the others and attacked them regularly. She had also bitten the owner when he petted one of the other dogs!
The dog needed a bullet in the back of her skull, clean and quick, IMO.
Most folks don't realize heartwarming pit bulls have jaws stronger than mountain lions. Time to ban the breed.
I hope the judge not reduce the sentence in any way. These pit bull owners have got to learn to be responsible and apparently this owner was not. Sure, she will get 3 years of her life behind bars, but the elderly woman lost her life completely. What a gruesome way to die.
Should be charged with manslaughter at least.
ROFLMAO!
I have family members who live in a rural community. One redneck family across the street from them has ALWAYS had agressive LARGE dogs, which killed other neighborhood dogs and were a menace to children, joggers and cyclists.
On more than one occasion, my family members have "quietly eliminated" the menacing animal. Rule number 1, don't TELL A SOUL when you "off" a neighbor's dog(s). Rule number 2, play dumb if questioned about the disappearance.
Rule number 2, play dumb if questioned about the disappearance.
You forgot a couple of others: Never complain about the dogs beforehand, and if if you make a hat from the pelt, don't wear it around the neighborhood.
Not at all. Lions, tigers and dogs are dangerous animals. Obviously, no dog can hold a candle to the rending and devouring that a lion or tiger could do. But a dog is still a potentially dangerous creature.
'I hope people don't equate owning Pit-Bulls to second ammendment.'
No reasonable person could equate what is in the constitution regarding firearms to owning a pit bull. that is exactly right...
In the case of a lion or tiger, the animal probably cannot, in all safety, be taught to overcome its nature. A dog on the other hand, is a domestic animal, which can be taught a variety of things. However, any owner of any animal is responsible for what their animal does!
This woman getting off with only three years when her dogs that she allowed to run loose mauled an elderly woman to death does not lead one to believe that life is held in very high regard in that legal jurisdiction
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.