Oregon: No criminal charges for owner of three Pit Bulls that attacked and tried to kill 63-year-old Ashton teacher Aneda Ebert

OREGON -- The owner of three pit bulls that attacked and seriously injured 63-year-old Ashton teacher Aneda Ebert will not face criminal charges, Ogle County State's Attorney Mike Rock said in a news release.

"After reviewing the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department investigative reports and potential criminal statutes, it has been determined that prosecution is not viable," Rock said in the release, sent late Friday afternoon.

Ebert was attacked April 21 while jogging. Her husband, Larry, was riding his bike and happened upon the scene. He drove off the dogs, which had Aneda pinned down in a ditch, and called 911, likely saving his wife's life.

She had severe injuries to her neck, shoulder, arms and leg, spent 4 days in the hospital and underwent surgery to repair her wounds.

The dogs were impounded by Ogle County Animal Control officers shortly after the attack and later euthanized with the consent of the owner, who has not been publicly identified.

At the time, Tom Champley, Ogle’s animal control administrator, said the county can cite an owner of dogs running loose dogs, but “there’s not a fine if a dog bites.”

Vanessa Scott, Whiteside County’s animal control warden, said authorities can charge owners of attacking dogs when there is evidence the owners knew their dogs had the potential to do harm without provocation. Previous incidents, she said, can serve as proof.

Champley agreed. “Legally, there has to be a prior report on these dogs” before animal control can pursue charges, he said.

The Eberts were familiar with the dogs and said they never had been a problem before, and they didn't know what prompted the attack.

"They've been in our yard when our grandchildren have been here," Aneda said at the time.

Almost every day, weather permitting, he and Aneda bike and run past the house where the dogs were kept, Larry added.

Aneda, a retired physical education teacher, teaches one day a week at Tilton Elementary School in Rochelle. In a May 4 interview, she said she was healing nicely and couldn't wait to go jogging again.

A call to the Eberts Saturday night to check on Aneda's progress had not been returned as of this posting.

(Saukvalley - May 31, 2014)

Earlier:

• Dog attack victim: 'It hurt so bad. I just wanted to die'