Police: DNA is a match to pit bull identified in brutal attack

WTVM ^

[Chet 99]

Police: DNA is a match to pit bull identified in brutal attack

Posted: May 12, 2010 6:36 PM PDT

By Lindsey Connell - bio | email | Twitter

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - News Leader 9 has new details on a pit bull attack in Columbus.

It's a case that prompted Columbus investigators to take special steps to find the dog at the center of the mauling police say is one of the worst in the city's history.

This is the first time Columbus Police have done animal DNA testing in an investigation and now, the results are in.

Detectives say they are a match to the pit bull the victim has already identified as the one that attacked her.

Thirteen-year-old Brianna Watkins lost both of her ears and most of her scalp when she was mauled at her Columbus home six months ago.

Afraid she might pass away from her injuries, police found a specialized lab in Texas to help identify the dog that left her mutilated.

As she started recovering, Brianna pointed to a neighbor's pit bull named Debo as the one that mauled her and he's been held captivity.

Investigators confirm the DNA results are a positive match to Debo.

They took hair samples from the shirt that was torn off Brianna's body the night of the attack along with hair plucked from the dog.

Columbus Police have forwarded their findings to the Solicitor General who oversees the state court system in Muscogee County. That is where the pit bull's owner is facing a misdemeanor charge in connection with the attack.

Officials tell WTVM a final decision on the dog's fate has not yet been made.

[Chet 99]

Thirteen-year-old Brianna Watkins lost both of her ears and most of her scalp when she was mauled at her Columbus home six months ago.

[JoeProBono]

No matter what others may say Chet, I love you .....like a brother.

[Salamander]

I feel like I’m watching The Godfather Part 2.

[a -misdemeanor- charge?!?]

[JoeProBono]

[Salamander]

Ugh.

[JoeProBono]

[bobby.223]

good job chet. needless to say the soon to arrive savage pitbull queens will think that their little doggies are fine. with all of the other breeds/dogs out there...why in the hell would anyone opt to own these monsters????...except for the people who try the ‘I’m tougher than you’ thing thru their dogs?...

[truthguy]

good job chet. needless to say the soon to arrive savage pitbull queens will think that their little doggies are fine. with all of the other breeds/dogs out there...why in the hell would anyone opt to own these monsters????...except for the people who try the ‘I’m tougher than you’ thing thru their dogs?...

You just wait, the pitbull defenders will be out in force with all their standard lines:

1. Pitbulls aren't anymore dangerous than any other breed.
2. Lots of other dogs attack people, why not focus on them.
3. It's not the dog it's the owner.
4. My pitbull would never hurt anyone even another dog.
5. Pitbulls are one of the dogs least likely to attack you.
6. Rottweilers are more dangerous. 7. Any breed can bite.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

For lack of a bullet...