本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Prosecutors wrapped up testimony in a highly publicized dog-mauling trial Thursday by raising questions about the dog owners' concern for others when their pets killed a neighbor.
Prosecutors quoted a letter from Robert Noel wrote to his adopted son shortly after his dog, Bane, killed his 33-year-old neighbor, Diane Whipple, on January 26, 2001.
Noel wrote that animal-control officials who euthanized Bane would "have a fight on their hands" if they tried to put down Hera, like Bane a Presa Canario. Hera has since been euthanized.
"Neighbors be damned," Noel wrote. "My feelings about Presas haven't changed."
Noel is charged with involuntary manslaughter and keeping a mischievous animal that killed a human being. His wife, Marjorie Knoller -- who, unlike Noel, was at the scene when the dog mauled Whipple -- is being tried on those charges as well as second-degree murder.
Dr. Randall Lockwood, an animal behaviorist and vice president of the Humane Society of the United States, questioned why Knoller did not sustain more severe injuries in her efforts to protect Whipple from the animal. The defense claims Knoller put her body on top of Whipple's to protect her from the vicious attack.
Lockwood, citing his research and understanding of testimony, replied that the dog would have redirected its aggression to anyone -- even its owner -- who tried to get in the way of the attack. The injuries would have been more similar to those suffered by Whipple, who was bitten from her forehead to her ankles and whose trachea was crushed. She died of blood loss and asphyxiation.
Knoller had bruises on her wrists, breast, and shoulder and minor puncture wounds on her fingers, according to photographs taken after the mauling.
Under cross-examination, Lockwood conceded Knoller sustained her injuries because she tried to interfere with the attack. Defense attorney Nedra Ruiz also pointed out that there is no evidence to suggest the Presa Canario dogs were trained to fight.
Lockwood agreed but added: "You have to train these dogs not to fight because of their bloodline."
The court also heard from Sgt. Leslie Forrestal of the San Francisco Police Department, the first officer on the scene. She said Knoller appeared confused and scared in the moments following the attack but that her demeanor soon changed.
"She didn't appear to be dazed and confused 10 to 15 minutes later," Forrestal testified.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
Prosecutors quoted a letter from Robert Noel wrote to his adopted son shortly after his dog, Bane, killed his 33-year-old neighbor, Diane Whipple, on January 26, 2001.
Noel wrote that animal-control officials who euthanized Bane would "have a fight on their hands" if they tried to put down Hera, like Bane a Presa Canario. Hera has since been euthanized.
"Neighbors be damned," Noel wrote. "My feelings about Presas haven't changed."
Noel is charged with involuntary manslaughter and keeping a mischievous animal that killed a human being. His wife, Marjorie Knoller -- who, unlike Noel, was at the scene when the dog mauled Whipple -- is being tried on those charges as well as second-degree murder.
Dr. Randall Lockwood, an animal behaviorist and vice president of the Humane Society of the United States, questioned why Knoller did not sustain more severe injuries in her efforts to protect Whipple from the animal. The defense claims Knoller put her body on top of Whipple's to protect her from the vicious attack.
Lockwood, citing his research and understanding of testimony, replied that the dog would have redirected its aggression to anyone -- even its owner -- who tried to get in the way of the attack. The injuries would have been more similar to those suffered by Whipple, who was bitten from her forehead to her ankles and whose trachea was crushed. She died of blood loss and asphyxiation.
Knoller had bruises on her wrists, breast, and shoulder and minor puncture wounds on her fingers, according to photographs taken after the mauling.
Under cross-examination, Lockwood conceded Knoller sustained her injuries because she tried to interfere with the attack. Defense attorney Nedra Ruiz also pointed out that there is no evidence to suggest the Presa Canario dogs were trained to fight.
Lockwood agreed but added: "You have to train these dogs not to fight because of their bloodline."
The court also heard from Sgt. Leslie Forrestal of the San Francisco Police Department, the first officer on the scene. She said Knoller appeared confused and scared in the moments following the attack but that her demeanor soon changed.
"She didn't appear to be dazed and confused 10 to 15 minutes later," Forrestal testified.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net
