Florida: Deanna Blitch and her son William Blitch indicted in dog-mauling death of Putnam County man in June

Deanna Lou Blitch

FLORIDA -- The owner of two dogs that mauled a 74-year-old Putnam County man to death has been indicted on charges including two counts of attack by a dangerous dog and lying that the dogs had been destroyed after a previous attack.

She also was charged with resisting a law enforcement officer by the Putnam County grand jury that indicted her son in the same case.

Related: Pit bulls involved in other mauling cases, police say.

William Braxton Blitch

Deanna Lou Blitch, 51, and her son William Braxton Blitch, 25, were charged with lying and resisting when Putnam County deputies were told that they no longer had the dogs while the animals were being hidden in their Hawthorne home.

The charges follow the June 10th mauling death of Roy McSweeney, a neighbor of the Blitches. McSweeney was in his yard when he was attacked and later discovered by William Blitch.

One of McSweeney's arms was ripped off and one was nearly severed. He also suffered facial injuries.

"My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Roy McSweeney," said Putnam Sheriff Jeff Hardy.  "I know that these indictments will not replace their loss, but I hope that bringing the owner of these vicious animals to justice will provide them with a little comfort."

(Florida Times-Union - Nov 16, 2011)

Earlier:

• Disabled Florida Vet Loses Arm to Pit Bull Attack