Man Convicted Of Murder Because His Pitbulls Killed Woman
The behavior of the California man’s four pit bulls resulted in a second degree murder conviction for him.
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A jury found Alex Donald Jackson, 31, guilty of murder Friday after Pamela Devitt was killed by his four pit bulls during her morning walk on May 9, 2013.
The Littlerock woman was bitten 200 times, according to the coroner’s office. She died from blood loss. Some of the bites were so deep that bone was exposed, New York Daily News reported.[su_sky_ad]
Residents in the Antelope Valley town told the Los Angeles Times that they were often confronted by a pack of dogs. Some took to carrying sticks, rocks and guns when they were outside. Parents forbid their children from playing outdoors.
Prosecutors argued that Jackson was negligent and knew that his dog’s endangered the lives of others. The dogs were allegedly involved in at least seven other fights in the 18 months leading up to the mauling.
tiredoftea August 30th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
A just sentence for a criminally negligent dog owner.
Viking August 30th, 2014 at 2:32 pm
Handing a loaded Uzi to your nine-year-old is not negligent, though. Only in America.
Pistol-Packing August 30th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
No, It is not negligent. It was negligent on the instructors behalf to not follow proper safety rules. And one of that, is to make sure you stand in a safe manner. Being parallel, is not a safe position.
Viking August 30th, 2014 at 3:33 pm
If you think handing a nine-year-old 60-pound girl a loaded Uzi is not negligent, I sure hope you don’t have any kids. If an instructor said a kid could juggle live grenades, would that be OK with you as well?
jasperjava August 30th, 2014 at 11:12 pm
There is no safe place to stand when a small child is handed a fully automatic weapon she can’t control.
DogsRgoodpeople August 30th, 2014 at 2:33 pm
This guy was the kind that liked to use his dogs to intimidate others. Hard time is justifiable as his attitude is what caused this poor womans horrible death. Check this out…………….
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-man-found-guilty-of-murder-after-his-dogs-kill-woman/
Animal control officers testified that an inebriated Jackson told them shortly after the attack: “If you mess with me, you’re coming into the lions’ den.”
edmeyer_able August 30th, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Prosecutors argued that Jackson was negligent and knew that his dog’s endangered the lives of others. The dogs were allegedly involved in at least seven other fights in the 18 months leading up to the mauling.
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Seems as though a few people knew the dogs presented a danger, wonder why it had to escalate to this end?
Dwendt44 August 30th, 2014 at 5:43 pm
Either no one complained or, just as likely, the police blew off or minimized the complaint.
Mike August 30th, 2014 at 3:19 pm
Waiting for the low IQ pit owners to chime in harping on about how their sweet little Muffie pit wouldnt hurt a fly.
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Pitbulls are no more innately vicious than any other big dog. Their reputation as killer dogs results in two things:
1. Good owners don’t adopt and train them to be docile, like any other big dog.
2. Bad owners deliberately adopt them BECAUSE of their reputation, and train them for the express purpose of being vicious.
This is a case of the latter.
Mike August 30th, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Wrong. Pits have been bred for over a hundred years for the sole purpose of fighting and killing. You think a border collies instinct to herd is a myth also?
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 3:53 pm
I worked at an animal shelter for four years, buddy. We were overflowing with pits because no one adopts them and we refused to give them to owners we knew wouldn’t domesticate them. They were absolutely no worse behaved than any other dog.
Mike August 30th, 2014 at 3:57 pm
That doesnt qualify you as any type of expert. Go research the history of pit bulls, and show me another type of dog that rips limbs off people during attacks. And while you’re at it maybe you can explain why over 80% of dog attacks are from pits even though they represent less than 5% of all dogs.
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 3:59 pm
I believe I just did. Because people who want attack dogs deliberately choose pitbulls for their reputation, and they’re easy to get because that same reputation keeps good owners from adopting them.
The guy in this article had FOUR, and was deliberately using them to intimidate the neighborhood. That was literally their only use for him. Q.E.D.
Mike August 30th, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Exactly. Because those type of people choose the most aggressive and damaging breed.
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 4:02 pm
Any dog that you train to intimidate the neighborhood is aggressive. Example: fucking chihuahuas, man. No one bothers to train them, even the “good” owners, because the fuck is a tiny rat gonna do, and as a result, they’re the angriest little fuckers around.
I’m curious as to what your goal with this rhetoric is, exactly? Do we need to exterminate pitbulls? Discourage more people from adopting and training them, because our shelters aren’t full enough?
Dwendt44 August 30th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
Up until a few years ago, German, Shepards were number 1 in dog bits. Small dogs, like those Chihuahuas especially, are rarely reported for biting though they are often very aggressive.
Pit bulls are often bred for aggressive tendencies and few know the proper methods for training them.
Even with two years as a Sentry Dog handler in the military, I’d be reluctant to try training one of those pits.
Properly bred, raised and trained pits are no more aggressive than any other large breed.
whatthe46 August 30th, 2014 at 5:44 pm
“…they’re the angriest little fuckers around.” we may not agree on this pit issue, but your chihuahuas statement cracked me up. they are some mean little shits. but, i’m not concerned with them killing anyone.
raincheck August 30th, 2014 at 5:33 pm
That 80% isn’t correct. The most common dog bite comes from Labs (because there are so many of them) Perhaps you meant 80% of “fatal” attacks?
Dwendt44 August 30th, 2014 at 5:49 pm
Labs are big, adorable pets. No body thinks they are dangerous in the least. kids crawl all over them and pester and tease them to no end. No surprise that they are #1 in bits.
whatthe46 August 30th, 2014 at 4:29 pm
the same “good owners” who have stood up for these dogs are the same ones that ended up burying their children because their obedient, loving, would never hurt a fly, pit, killed their children. one woman and her 3 yr old were sitting on the sofa watching t.v. and without warning, this family dog, this loving dog, mauled her to death. so, you can take that good owners vs. bad owners crap and shove it.
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
I’ll ask you the same question that caused Mike to abandon this conversation:
What’s you goal here with your rhetoric? What change do you hope to affect with your words? Should we exterminate pitbulls like vermin, or is it enough for you to just further the stigma and discourage more people from adopting them, because our shelters just aren’t overflowing enough yet? Or do you simply not think about the words you say?
whatthe46 August 30th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
the dogs should not be allowed to be owned in this country because they are dangerous to human beings, especially children and especially when they are in packs as in this case. people are irresponsible with these dogs as they are with guns. owning these dogs is not a constitutional right and therefore, should be banned in this country period. we shouldn’t be reading about this woman dying such a horrible death that was prevented to begin with.
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 5:47 pm
So that’s a “yes” to exterminating them like vermin and/or leaving them to die in our overflowing shelters, then?
whatthe46 August 30th, 2014 at 5:52 pm
well, yes if that’s what it takes. get rid of all of them that’s here and don’t allow anymore into this country any longer. which life is more meaningful? a dog that’s proven time and time again it cannot be tamed or a human being?
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 6:12 pm
How about no one needs to die because they absolutely can be tamed like any other dog, and the only reason they’re not is because of people exactly like you.
whatthe46 August 30th, 2014 at 6:23 pm
how am i responsible for these dogs being vicious? the children murdered by a good number of these dogs were family dogs. raised in the home from pups. each of the owners of these dogs claimed they were “good” dogs. i will assume they mean tamed. the fact that it was obvious not the case, how am i responsible for that? this woman would be alive if it weren’t for the dogs right? right? she didn’t have to die right? right? neither did the little boy a month or so ago that was killed by the families 2 pits. so, i will stand by getting rid of the dogs for good.
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 6:26 pm
You want me to pull up some cherrypicked examples of other dog breeds killing kids? Because that’s all you’ve offered.
whatthe46 August 30th, 2014 at 6:45 pm
how many stories this year to date have other dogs killed compared to the number of people killed by pits this year alone? and we’re only talking about people that were killed by pits, not those who survived attacks. look, if you admire this breed, then by all means wonderful. it won’t change facts. they kill. they are dangerous. and they are especially dangerous to the little ones.
R.J. Carter August 30th, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Why is it so hard to believe that a certain breed of canine was never meant to be domesticated — or was bred to have the more feral instincts? What, because they’re a “dog” they must have the innate ability to be “man’s best friend?” We’re not being specieist here. We’re not “profiling” the breed. It’s proven. They kill.
I like cats. I don’t have an ocelot.
Rusty Shackleford August 30th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
How many other dogs have pitbulls’ reputation and are therefore deliberately chosen by people who want to train vicious attack dogs? Or are we just gonna ignore that part because it’s inconvenient for your bioessentialism?
whatthe46 August 30th, 2014 at 7:23 pm
“You want me to pull up some cherrypicked examples of other dog breeds killing kids?”
******
“how many stories this year to date have other dogs killed compared to the number of people killed by pits this year alone?”
******
more than 20 thus far this year were pit bull fatalities. the latest on reports was 08/09/14. 10 wk old baby; 7 mo.; four 4 y/o; 22 mo. old; two 2 y/o; 6 y/o; 5 y/o; 1 y/o; two 3 y/o. THESE WERE BY ALL LOVING FAMILY DOGS. the others are adults and one 13 y/o.
2 cases involved Rotts and 3 cases involved Mas. and i didn’t cherrypick.
Candide Thirtythree September 1st, 2014 at 9:10 pm
except they can’t be trained, ALL of them have the potential to kill and almost all of the people killed by dogs in the past 20 years have been killed by pits.
Everyone says their pit is just so great with people right up until the moment they turn and attack someone for no reason. It is not worth the risk, lots of dogs bite but not many kinds kill.
You want a big dog, get a lab.
sharongibson August 31st, 2014 at 3:08 pm
The American Staffordshire Terrier, aka pitbull, has been
around for some time. Buster Brown Shoes’ Tige and Petey from the Our Gang/Little Rascals series were pit bulls, or American Staffordshire Terriers.
You suggest banning this breed from the United States, yet other breeds have been known to attack if not kill people.
There’s the case in San Francisco in which a woman did
nothing while her Presa Canario dogs mauled a neighbor to death in 2001; she is serving 15 years to life while her husband, who was not home at the time of the attacks, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and paroled in 2003.
Another poster on this discussion thread noted another case
involving Cane Corso dogs that killed a jogger in July. Would you have these breeds banned as well?
Chuck Gladfelter August 30th, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Problem is these dogs can’t be called off. Also, other breeds don’t have the destructive power of the P.B.
M D Reese August 30th, 2014 at 5:36 pm
…until they do.
kcmargulies August 30th, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Just like leaving explosives around. They had a history of attacking people and he used the dogs to threaten. Yeah, his weapons killed, and he is responsible.
whatthe46 August 30th, 2014 at 4:35 pm
people just don’t want to learn. this woman should not be dead.
crc3 August 30th, 2014 at 4:47 pm
Pit bulls are the “black sheep” of all dogs. In other words…abnormal. They are inherently vicious hunters and aim to kill when they attack. The owner in this case is getting what he deserves…
majii August 30th, 2014 at 5:04 pm
A couple in Michigan have also been charged in the death of a jogger. The guy was running past their house and was attacked by two of their Cane Corsos. His wife and kids were visiting relatives when the incident occurred, but she was charged, too, when she returned because police say she knew the dogs were vicious. Others who live in the neighborhood said that they had also been attacked by the couple’s dogs. One neighbor stated that he’d started carrying his gun when he cut his grass.
sharongibson August 31st, 2014 at 3:34 pm
Can you imagine the anxiety that’s attendant with a situation like that? There you are, gun at the ready, mowing your lawn wondering if today is the day this fool’s dog meanders down the street to attack you. Nobody should have to live like that.
Chuck Gladfelter August 30th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
“Prosecutors argued that Jackson was negligent and knew that his dog’s endangered the lives of others.” Dog’s?
craig7120 August 30th, 2014 at 8:21 pm
What a horrible way to leave this world, being bitten to death by an animal.
If a person had a tiger and it got out and attacked a jogger, the owner of the animal is responsible. No difference in this and the hundreds of other cases of dogs attacking people.
Know your species, breed, temperament, habits.
Just simply carelessness
Chinese Democracy August 31st, 2014 at 1:55 am
a person like that picked that breed because they are known to be vicious. Its a toxic mix.
There is a cycle of most dangerous dog though
German Shepard
Then Rotties
Then one year it was mastiffs
The list of banned dogs in apt communities in California is so long about the only dog you can have is a toothless Yorkshire Terrier .
In the state where my sister lives you cant get home owners insurance if your dog is on the banned list.
I had a rottie . Very sweet dog, literally climbed in peoples laps like a little dog.
I had 2 German Shepherds.. very smart very loyal no major problems
Now I have 2 boston terrier puppies. Let me just say I would trust my rottie more than I would the Bostons with my shoes heh.
I think a certain kind of person should own pits. I think they can go into their fighting mode if excited.
I had a sherpei ( a wrinkle dog) basically a chinese version of a pit. Designed totally to fight. short ears so they couldnt be torn off. Loose skin so that the opponent gets a mouthfull of skin instead of throat. Anyway he had a tude I knew it.. I told people not to pet him etc. and he didnt ever bite anyone in 14 yrs.
whatthe46 August 31st, 2014 at 2:43 am
“I think a certain kind of person should own pits. I think they can go into their fighting mode if excited.” here’s the problem with that statement. they are unpredictable. it isn’t necessary to excite this breed in order for an attack to occur. i’ve made this comment many times over, a woman was sitting on the sofa with her 3 y/o watching t.v., without and provocation what-so-ever, their “family” pit, attacked and killed the her. the mother was helpless. you take your chances. the question is, is it worth it. i think this mother would agree, it isn’t.
Chinese Democracy August 31st, 2014 at 4:12 pm
Of course thats where we disagree. I believe the dog was triggered and then the owners where unable to control him. Thats what I meant by a certain type of person.
Dylan Bleier August 31st, 2014 at 10:24 am
Maybe negligent homicide but murder???
sharongibson August 31st, 2014 at 2:21 pm
This case is reminiscent of the San Francisco dog mauling case in which a woman was sentenced 15 years to life in prison for second-degree murder after her Presa Canario dogs mauled her neighbor to death in 2001. http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/15-years-to-life-in-S-F-dog-maul-death-3268437.php