Pit Bull Owner Sentenced 90 Days in Jail for Letting Their Dog Run Loose

The pit bull’s owner, Heather Marie Pruett, 33 years old from North Hamilton Drive on the Western Fringe in the small town of Niles has been sentenced of 90 days in jail and will be under probation for 18 months. In addition, she is required to do 180 hours of community work at an animal shelter within the area. She was also ordered to pay a fine of $1,360 plus the court fee up to $30,000 in yet to be resolved restitution at the Berrien County Trial Court. The woman’s sanctions are due to her negligent act of allowing her pit bull to run free around the Buchanan area.

According to court documents, three Buchanan residents were attacked by the woman’s pit bull all at the very same day.

The first victim of the dog is Doyle Vergon. According to Vergon, he was walking his dog when they were attacked by the pit bull, Vergon and his dog both suffered from serious injuries, his dog’s veterinary bills already exceeded to $400.

After few hours, Margaret Desenberg, who was outside her house was also attacked by the same pit bull. When her brother saw that she was being attacked by the dog, her brother rushed to rescue. As a result of which, Desenberg and her brother both suffered from injuries and needed to undergo skin grafting.

Police reports said that the pit bull has been missing from Pruett’s residence for a couple of days before the consecutive animal attacks occurred. Eventually, the dog has been seized by the Berrien County Animal Control Department and demolished following an isolation period.

Though the pit bull owner didn’t mean to free her dog, it’s still her liability being the owner and considering that the dog is in her custody.