VIRGINIA -- A Henrico pit bull owner now faces two charges related to the November 11th attack on her nephew, 10.
Margaret M. Banks, 42, of Hillbrook Avenue was charged Monday with misdemeanor child neglect, and neglect causing serious physical injury, a felony, according to Henrico Police.
The day after the attack, Banks spoke off-camera to NBC12, and said the boy suffered superficial bite wounds all over his body. Banks said she left the dog in a utility room while she left to pick up her son from a high school football game.
Police shot the dog twice and it was later euthanized.
CBS6 caught up with Margaret Banks Tuesday afternoon. She declined to talk on camera but tells CBS 6, she was surprised that police charged her.
“I’m sorry that it happened and I would never put anyone in danger.”
"I have been looking for a new home for the dog after he bit someone in the past. I didn`t want him put down and the county didn`t deem him as being a dangerous or vicious dog while I was looking for a new home for him,” said Margaret Banks.
She goes on to say, “my nephew is doing great; he had stitches in several places, but you can’t even tell that he was attacked by the dog.”
So, why did police charge her with the crime?
CBS 6 legal analyst Todd Stone weighs in.
"If this lady knew that this dog has bitten someone before it's like leaving a loaded weapon in the house."
He says prosecutors will first determine if Banks was negligent in leaving the kids home alone.
"But number two; you left them there with this dangerous animal. So, those two things in combination is sort of this perfect chemistry that creates this tragic result,” said Stone.
Margaret Banks is scheduled to be arraigned in Henrico General District Court Wednesday morning
(WTVR, WWBT - Nov 23, 2011)
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