Texas Couple Imprisoned for Pit Bull Mauling

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Texas Couple Imprisoned for Pit Bull Mauling

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

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 Texas law that holds owners responsible if their dogs injure or kill someone. Crystal Michelle Watson, 28, and Jack Wayne Smith, 45, were convicted of a dog attack resulting in death. The law says owners areguilty if their unsecured dogs injure or kill a person in an unprovoked attack off their property, and those convicted can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison. "I compared it to someone leaving a gun out in front of children," Stephens County District Attorney Stephen Bristow told "The Associated Press." Witnesses testified that on May 18, Tanner Joshua Monk walked toward Smith and Watson's house to play with some children, and that afternoon, his body was found in a ditch surrounded by four pit bulls.

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I think this is the right thing to do and if more dog owners knew the risk of an attack meant that THEY might spend years in prison, then they would do the right thing and not own a potentially dangerous dog. Unfortunately, most people who are intelligent enough to realize this are the same ones who would take better care of their dogs…those who don’t, aren’t necessarily going to have the foresight to think to this next level.

- mary

Posted 10/15/08 12:28 PM

FINALLY, THESE CRIMINAL ARE GOING TO JAIL - THANKS TO LILLIAN’S LAW. NEW JERSEY IS CONSIDERING PASSING A VERSION OF THIS LAW - SOON!!!! TIME FOR THE “BAD OWNERS” TO GO TO JAIL. A BIG THANKS TO TEXAS FOR LEADING THE WAY AGAINST THESE CRIMINALS

- FINALLY

Posted 10/16/08 03:14 PM

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