Throughout the USA, dog owners are prosecuted for sometimes-serious crimes which were "carried out" by their dogs.
For example, last week Curtis Lester, Jr. of Onalaska, Washington, was convicted of one count of reckless endangerment and five counts of animals at large. The charges stemmed from a July 31, 2007, incident in which several of his dogs mauled a 21-month-old child, resulting in multiple bites and cuts. Sentencing is set for Feb. 4 at 3:30 p.m. in Lewis County District Court.
The courts and the public do not believe that in all cases dog attacks are simply unfortunate accidents. Owners have to be responsible in order to avoid civil and criminal liability.
