Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 05/17/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos- (707) 565-2311

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CHARGES FILED IN BULLDOG ATTACK

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that his office has filed a felony charge of Allowing a Vicious Animal at Large against the owners of an American Bulldog who attacked a woman. The dog owners, Emmellia Dale-Pincus and Jessie Dale-Pincus are scheduled to appear in court on June 19, 2006.

The victim was walking her own dog to meet her children at a school bus on April 6, 2006, when the bulldog, while loose, attacked the victim’s dog. As her children ran from the area with the victim’s dog, the bulldog attempted to chase them. The victim moved in front of the bulldog to protect her children. The bulldog then lunged at the victim’s face, causing serious bodily injuries.

The investigation by Sonoma County Animal Control revealed that there had been numerous prior complaints made by neighbors that the bulldog owners harbored malicious dogs on their property.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, “Irresponsible owners of animals who do not take precautions to safeguard neighbors from vicious attacks, need to be held accountable for the consequences.”

The felony offense is punishable up to three years in state prison or up to one year in the county jail if probation is granted.