Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Trial now Oct 7 in girl's mauling by pit bulls

LOUISIANA -- A Hammond woman accused in a near-fatal dog attack will be tried in October rather than next week.

 Forty-year-old Bridgett Harper's non-jury trial had been scheduled Aug. 12. State District Judge Elizabeth Wolfe has rescheduled it for Oct. 7.

 Conviction would carry up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.

 Harper is charged with negligent injury of 8-year-old Mikayja Oliver, who was mauled in April 2012 by Harper's two pit bulls.

The dogs bit the child's arms, legs and face, severing an artery in her right leg. She was hospitalized for months and needed numerous operations.

 Chip Fitz, director of the Tangipahoa Parish Animal Control facility, says the dogs were put down after being held for 10 days' observation.

(KATC Lafayette News - Aug 6, 2013)

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