Posted on 10/14/2008 12:50:04 PM PDT by engrpat
GRAHAM, Texas -- A couple whose pit bulls fatally mauled their 7-year-old neighbor were sentenced to seven years in prison, the first conviction under a new state law that holds owners responsible if their dogs injure or kill someone.
Crystal Michelle Watson, 28, and Jack Wayne Smith, 45, were convicted Thursday of a dog attack resulting in a death, a second-degree felony with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The law says owners are guilty if their unsecured dogs injure or kill a person in an unprovoked attack off their property.
"I compared it to someone leaving a gun out in front of children," Stephens County District Attorney Stephen Bristow told The Associated Press, recalling what he told jurors during the emotional trial last week.
(Excerpt) Read more at star-telegram.com ...
“I compared it to someone leaving a gun out in front of children,”
Dumb pro-control comparison. But I agree with the ruling. There’s a reason most homeowner insurance companies won’t insure you (or bill you out the heinie) if you have aggressive dogs.
These folks are just like the ones who tell you "oh, my dog doesn't bite" and the dog is already down there ready to take a nip at the back of your leg.
“A couple whose pit bulls”
That’s as far as I need to read.
Good. Irresponsible people shouldn’t have dogs period. Prayers for the family of the little boy who was killed.
No. Dogs and guns are not the same.
Who is this fool?
If you call this 'stepping up to the plate', then I suggest the game be called now.
“A couple whose pit bulls fatally mauled their 7-year-old neighbor were sentenced to seven years in prison, the first conviction under a new state law that holds owners responsible if their dogs injure or kill someone.”
Interesting, so if your minor child kills someone, they can’t touch you criminally but if your dog kills someone, you can go to jail.
The law did not step up to the plate, the child was killed. I know what you mean, just using it to make the point that pittbulls should be banned in residential neighborhoods.
Not at all the same.
Yeah, parents shouldn’t be responsible for their children.
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Do you understand the difference between children and dogs?
If a minor child kills someone, that child had a mind to think it out. Most times they are tried as an adult.
Dogs are dogs. Nature takes over. In a pack they will maul or attack moving targets. They are animals not human. If one knows that his/her dog is not human and cannot rationally think the consequences of it’s action, yet does not secure his/her property, yes that person is held liable.
The county attorney is a moron. This has nothing to do with guns or who they are left in front of.
I compared it to someone leaving a gun out in front of children,”
This make perfect sense, if your gun smells you and doesnt like what you smell like, its liable to just up and shoot you.
Sad ping...
Wild guess, he flunked the Miller Analogies Test.
Which is worse, to be “fatally mauled” or killed by dogs?
About time too. These pit bulls are like time bombs, waiting to go off.
Being torn apart by animals has got to be a horrible way to die. I hope the child lost consciousness quickly.
If it had been my son...
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