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Couple gets 7 years after dogs fatally maul child
Star-Telegram (DFW) ^ | 10-14-08 | AP

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 ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: dogs; pitts
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At least the law is stepping up the plate.
1 posted on 10/14/2008 12:50:04 PM PDT by engrpat
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To: engrpat

“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.


2 posted on 10/14/2008 12:54:13 PM PDT by Onerom99
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To: engrpat
No doubt the dogs' owners still don't understand why they are being held accountable for what dogs do.

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.

3 posted on 10/14/2008 12:54:36 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: engrpat

“A couple whose pit bulls”

That’s as far as I need to read.


4 posted on 10/14/2008 12:54:56 PM PDT by TexasRepublic (Brother, can you spare a dime?)
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To: engrpat

Good. Irresponsible people shouldn’t have dogs period. Prayers for the family of the little boy who was killed.


5 posted on 10/14/2008 12:55:19 PM PDT by brytlea (Obama--Keep the change!)
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To: engrpat
12 or 15 years would have been a lot better. These killer dog owners need to be severely reprimanded.
6 posted on 10/14/2008 12:55:57 PM PDT by fish hawk (Atheism is a non-prophet organization)
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To: engrpat
..."I compared it to someone leaving a gun out in front of children," Stephens County District Attorney Stephen Bristow told The Associated Press,...

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.

7 posted on 10/14/2008 12:56:34 PM PDT by realdifferent1 (Show all work for extra credit)
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To: engrpat

“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.


8 posted on 10/14/2008 12:56:49 PM PDT by Slapshot68
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To: engrpat

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.


9 posted on 10/14/2008 12:58:32 PM PDT by gogov
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To: Slapshot68
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.

Not at all the same.

10 posted on 10/14/2008 12:59:42 PM PDT by gogov
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To: gogov

Yeah, parents shouldn’t be responsible for their children.


11 posted on 10/14/2008 1:00:46 PM PDT by Slapshot68
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To: Crystal M. Watson and Jack W. Smith

Aw.. don't worry about prison. Inmates are sweet and would never hurt anyone. By nature they are kind and loving guys and gals. It's the irresponsible corrections officers who turn them bad.

12 posted on 10/14/2008 1:02:30 PM PDT by I see my hands (_8(|)
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To: Slapshot68

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.


13 posted on 10/14/2008 1:02:38 PM PDT by netmilsmom ( Obama And Osama both have friends who bombed the Pentagon)
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To: realdifferent1

The county attorney is a moron. This has nothing to do with guns or who they are left in front of.


14 posted on 10/14/2008 1:04:33 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: engrpat

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.


15 posted on 10/14/2008 1:09:22 PM PDT by BobinIL
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To: familyop

Sad ping...


16 posted on 10/14/2008 1:12:09 PM PDT by 1COUNTER-MORTER-68 (THROWING ANOTHER BULLET-RIDDLED TV IN THE PILE OUT BACK~~~~~)
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To: engrpat
"I compared it to someone leaving a gun out in front of children,"

Wild guess, he flunked the Miller Analogies Test.

17 posted on 10/14/2008 1:12:14 PM PDT by HIDEK6
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Which is worse, to be “fatally mauled” or killed by dogs?


18 posted on 10/14/2008 1:12:50 PM PDT by freeplancer
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To: engrpat

About time too. These pit bulls are like time bombs, waiting to go off.


19 posted on 10/14/2008 1:18:04 PM PDT by IrishBlue06
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To: freeplancer

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...


20 posted on 10/14/2008 1:19:10 PM PDT by GunsAndBibles (God save Calif. - 'cause it's gonna take a miracle.)
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