Pit bull owner charged with murder is accused in prior dog attack

CALIFORNIA -- A pit bull owner charged with murder after four of his dogs allegedly mauled a woman in Littlerock has also been charged with assault in connection with another dog in January.

Alex Jackson, 29, was arrested and charged Thursday in connection with the killing of Pamela Devitt.

District attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said Jackson's dogs were involved in another attack on Jan. 13. In that case, his dogs attacked a horse and the horse kicked back in defense. As the incident escalated, Jackson tossed a rock at the person riding the horse, Robison said.

“We believe there was evidence that he was aware the dogs were vicious and they have attacked before and he knew of the danger they posed,”  Robison said.

Fatal dog maulings are rare but murder charges in those cases are even rarer. Robison said the office cannot recall a similar case.

One of the pit bulls seized by authorities is being kept in an
Los Angeles County animal shelter in Lancaster -
Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times / May 10, 2013

Jackson faces up to life in prison if convicted, a Los Angeles County district attorney’s spokesman said. Eight dogs -- six pit bulls and two mixed breeds -- were recovered from his home, sheriff's officials said. Four of the dogs were believed to be involved in the attack. What appeared to be blood was found on their coats and muzzles.

A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy drives by the spot on Avenue S
where on Thursday morning six pit bulls fatally mauled 63-year-old
Pamela Maria Devitt. Later in the evening authorities seized
six pit bulls and two other dogs from a house on East 115th Street.
DNA testing is being done to make sure that these are the pit bulls
that killed Devitt - Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times / May 9, 2013

In the fatal Antelope Valley case, Pamela Devitt, 63, was walking on May 9 when she was attacked by a pack of four pit bulls. A passerby spotted the attack and called police.
 

A deputy found one of the dogs still attacking the victim when he arrived on scene. Devitt died en route to the hospital as a result of blood loss. Coroner's officials said they found 150 to 200 puncture wounds and sharp force trauma across her body.

The death prompted a wide search for a pack of roving pit bulls.

(Los Angeles Times - May 30, 2013)