Erika Benson, 24, of 403 Hill St., is charged with aggravated assault with extreme indifference to human life, a first-degree felony; endangering the welfare of children, a third-degree felony; simple assault and endangering the welfare of a child, first-degree misdemeanors; recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor; harboring a dangerous dog and failing to have a dog licensed, summary offenses.
According to court records, at 6:53 p.m. Jan. 18, police were dispatched to the Hill Street residence for a dog bite. Police found a 6-year-old girl had been attacked in the face and neck by a pit bull / labrador mix, which was now contained in a crate.
Witnesses said the child was playing near the dog and it attacked her unprovoked, holding her to the floor while biting her head and neck and dragging her across the floor while still biting her, court records allege.
The child needed eight stitches in her neck and had a puncture wound to her face, according to police. The dog had bitten other people in the past, and Benson has continued to keep the dog in her residence with two small children, according to police.
She was arraigned Monday and released on $3,500 unsecured bail. She is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. Sept. 26 before District Judge Annette Easton.
Some reader comments
Anonymous said...
THIS MOTHER is a damn good mother. You people need to mind your damn business because I'll tell you right now I've seen her with her kids, and as a person with children, I would fully trust her with my kids. HER SISTER AND MOTHER should be the ones shamed here considering they put that dog in that house knowing there were children and the dog was a danger. You would never want that to happen as a mother and I know damn well she would do anything to protect those babies and I will testify to that. Let's not run our mouths when we don't know the whole story because I know damn well none of you do!!!!! God forbid there's ever an accident at your house!!!!!!
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 7:12:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
I know the whole story and she allowed that dog into her home knowing its history of attacking unprovoked. She continued to allow the dog to live in the same house even after it attacked her child and made it clear that she was not going to get rid of the dog, because she wasn't going to let everyone else win. Once the heat was on her,She lied about the dog being gone but kept it there and tried to get her 6 year old to lie and take the blame after she already admitted to the police that it was unprovoked. You think she's a great mom and its her mom and siters fault? It was her home, her kids and her responibility and her poor choices to keep this dog out of spite.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 7:49:00 PM EDT
Yikes! said...
For once this mother is going to have to take responsibility for her poor decisions as a mother and it sounds like she is still trying to blame everyone else. If shes a great mother, why would she allow a dog with a dangerous history to move in with her kids then continue to keep it after it attacked her child? She did endanger them by doing so. Guilt? She didnt feel too guilty if she kept the dog after the attack. As for minding our own business, well, its a public record therefore its the public's business. And for the person who says they would allow her to watch their kids, you'll soon be the public's business as well, because apparently you're willing to endanger your kids too. It's not about the dog biting. It attacked her and dragged her around the floor and her reaction was to keep this dog, in that home with these kids afterwards. A mom who was feeling guilty would have made damn sure the dog was out and away from her children without hesitation. If she feels guilty now, its because she was busted. Lets see if she pleads guilty. Bet my money that she doesn't
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at 8:42:00 PM EDT
Anonymous said...
to the few idiot's trying to defend benson, SHE TRIED TO HIDE THE DOG IN THE BASEMENT. She refused to get rid of the dog because the father of her children wanted it gone.
and to the people who think breed of dog has anything to do with it you're idiots. I had my leg ripped open when i was a kid by a black lab that got lose. but pitt bulls that are so horrible have only ever attacked me with affection and trying to lick me. it all depends on how they are raised just like people. don't blame breed you ignorant ingrates.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 7:56:00 AM EDT
