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Mauling prompts online registry

Spotsylvania County is establishing a public list of dangerous dogs. As with the state's sex-offender registry, the idea is to inform people of risks.

By BILL FREEHLING and KEITH EPPS

Date published: 3/15/2005

Spotsylvania residents can soon consult an Internet list of dangerous dogs before they head out for a neighborhood stroll, officials said yesterday.

The list will be on the county's Web site, under the Animal Control section. It'll include the dog's description and breed, and owner's name and address, said Spotsylvania Animal Control Director William Tydings.

Tydings said he's putting together a list that will be sent to the county's Information Services Department to be posted online as soon as possible.

It will include dogs that have been declared dangerous and are still living in the county. About 13 currently qualify.

The policy comes less than a week after 82-year-old Partlow resident Dorothy Sullivan and her small Shih Tzu were fatally mauled on her property by three roaming pit bulls. All three pit bulls were later killed by Spotsylvania officials.

Spotsylvania Commonwealth's Attorney William Neely will seek an involuntary manslaughter charge against Deanna H. Large, a 36-year-old Partlow resident. Involuntary manslaughter is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Large admitted owning one of the dogs, but Neely said the ensuing investigation revealed she owned all three unneutered males and had been warned to keep them under better control.

Neely and Sheriff Howard Smith released a statement yesterday outlining the planned charges against Large, but Smith did not hold a press conference that had been discussed over the weekend.

In addition to the felony charge, Neely said he will seek three misdemeanor counts of allowing a dangerous dog to run at large--an offense that carries a maximum punishment of 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Authorities searched Large's home and other nearby buildings and seized numerous items, according to a search warrant filed yesterday in Spotsylvania Circuit Court. No affidavit was filed with the warrant.

Also searched was the home of John Irving, who lives on the same property at 166 Cypress Court in Oak Crest subdivision.

Sources said Irving is Large's father.

Authorities say Irving tried to register one of the pit bulls involved in the Sullivan attack shortly after it occurred--failure to obtain a license violates state law and is a Class 4 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250. Irving is not facing any charges, authorities said.

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Date published: 3/15/2005