On Aug. 2, Kahtauna Cook and her mother, Janet Jones, were reportedly attacked by three pit bulls (then 7-year-old Hitler, 3- to 4-year-old Moo Moo and then 8-month-old Tater).
The dogs have been in quarantine at the Scioto County Dog Pound since the incident.
Kahtauna required reconstructive surgery at Nationwide Childrens Hospital in Columbus. Her mother was treated and released at Southern Ohio Medical Center.
Jones said she, her boyfriend, Roy Cook, and Kahtauna were staying at Bowling’s house, also the home of Roy Cook’s mother, in anticipation of moving soon to Columbus.
“I think those dogs should be put down,” Jones said soon after the attack. “The oldest dog has bit several people; he’s bit a couple of kids and has bit four or five adults. The other two dogs have never bitten anybody [before].”
The Portsmouth City Health Department filed an incident report in April 2009 referencing a pit bull named Hitler biting someone while entering a gate at 405 Campbell St. The victim was treated and released at Southern Ohio Medical Center, according to the report.
Scioto County Prosecutor Mark Kuhn said Jones has become very uncooperative with authorities during the investigation.
“At this point there are still a lot of unanswered questions,” Kuhn said.
Kuhn said Bowling, if convicted as charged, could face up to 18 months in prison and as much as a $5,000 fine for each count.
“The statute requires those dogs to be held until the case is over. If he is convicted as charged they’re (the dogs) required to be destroyed. If he is convicted of a lesser crime then there is some discretion on the court to make findings on what happens to the dogs,” Kuhn said.
Kuhn said the next step in the case is to notify Bowling of the court and arraignment dates.
“This is far from over, only the beginning step,” Kuhn said.
(Portsmouth Daily Times - Nov 25, 2011)
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