Monday, January 25, 2010

Woman charged after pit bull attack in Brandon

FLORIDA -- Dorothy York, whose pit bull last week attacked and killed a neighbor's dog, was arrested Sunday afternoon on charges of felony animal cruelty and culpable negligence.

Hillsborough County Animal Services investigated the case, filed the charges and had her arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, said Marti Ryan, an Animal Services spokeswoman.

Dixie had been Justin Stucke's best friend
since the boy was 3 years old, his parents say.

York was released from the county jail Sunday afternoon after posting bail set at $2,250, records show.

On Wednesday, York's two pit bulls got into the neighbor's backyard and attacked the neighbor's 6-year-old mixed-breed dog, Dixie.

Paul Stucke, Dixie's owner, saw the commotion in the backyard and went outside. He tried to separate the dogs, but one of the pit bulls attacked him. He shot the pit bull and killed it. Dixie died from injuries sustained from the attack by the pit bulls.

Animal Services on Wednesday cited York for the dogs being vicious, being at-large and having expired dog tags and vaccinations. York, 36, of 801 Bills Circle, Brandon, faces several thousands of dollars in fines and a court date.

This was not the first time that Red, the female pit bull that was shot, had been the focus of an investigation. In August, Red bit a 71-year-old man, but that person waived prosecution.

Animal Services sent York a letter at the time that they were aware that her dog could be aggressive and she should take precautions.

On Wednesday, Animal Services also confiscated York's male pit bull, Smoke.

(TBO - Jan 25, 2010)

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