Owner Of Vicious Pit Bull Convicted By Jury After Attack On 3-Year-Old

A man whose dog viciously attacked a 3-year-old Spokane Valley girl is guilty of “owning a dog with vicious propensities,” a jury decided last week.

The jury found Todd D. Bates guilty Wednesday after two days of testimony in District Court.

Bates, 22, faces a $1,000 fine and up to 90 days in jail when he is sentenced June 13 by Judge Sam Cozza.

The judge also could order that the dog, a 60-pound pit bull named “Shera” be euthanized immediately. Spokane County animal control officials have recommended that since they deemed the dog dangerous following the Jan. 14 attack.

Reports of what happened that night were conflicting. Bates was visiting home of Kelly Kunz and had the pit bull with him. Animal control officers believe the dog bolted across the family room in the Kunz home and clamped onto the little girl’s head.

The dog then flung Kayla Kunz around before Bates could pry her loose from his dog’s jaws.

Bates said the dog was laying on the floor when the child startled it.

Kunz was treated at Valley Hospital and Medical Center the night of the attack. More than 30 stitches were needed to mend her scalp.

Bates and Kelly Kunz initially told a sheriff’s deputy who investigated the attack that a stray dog bit Kayla.

Kunz later admitted to animal control officers that it was Bates’ dog that bit her daughter. Kelly Kunz testified during the trial that Bates threatened to harm her if she did not lie to the deputy. Bates denied that allegation.

Bates also was cited for owning a dog which threatened a person and not keeping the dog’s rabies shots current following the January attack.

, DataTimes