PEABODY — The pit bull that attacked three women and a police officer at a Peabody mobile home park has received a death sentence.
The city's animal control officer issued an order to have the dog, Bronson, euthanized within 90 days, police Capt. Dennis Bonaiuto said yesterday. Lilian Pinto made her decision after owner Brian Stevens and his lawyer appeared at a hearing last week in the Peabody police station.
Pinto based her ruling on the "totality" of the pit bull's actions, Bonaiuto said.
Bronson is responsible for more than 50 wounds suffered by Cassandra Osgood, 23, of Danvers during an April 9 attack. The dog mauled her friend Sarah Malave, 24, of Middleton and injured Stevens' girlfriend, Jamie Brickman, 27. Patrolman William Swaczyk is still recovering from arm injuries the dog inflicted when the officer wrestled it off Malave.
In 2007, Stevens suffered puncture wounds on his forearms, his right thigh and buttocks when the dog turned on him.
Stevens, 27, learned of Bronson's fate over the weekend in a letter from the city.
"We knew that this was coming," his lawyer, Jeremy Cohen, said yesterday. "We will appeal it to the chief of police, and we will ready an appeal after that to district court if it doesn't go well."
At the hearing last week before Pinto and Capt. Joseph Berardino, Cohen argued that Osgood and Malave provoked the dog. He accused them of using illegal drugs, wrestling inside the mobile home and falling on top of the animal. Osgood has denied using drugs and disputes Cohen's claim that Brickman yelled at her and Malave to stop wrestling.
"Obviously, I believe, under the circumstances, that it is the right decision," said Kevin Barry, Osgood's lawyer.
The dog will continue to be kept at the Borash Veterinary Clinic in Peabody during what could be a lengthy appeal process.
"There is a life at stake here," Cohen said, "and (Stevens) wants to pursue this as far as he can."
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
