My Edmonds News has been following the story of the Shoreline boy who was bitten by a dog in a "No Dogs" area of Brackett's Landing on the Edmonds waterfront.
The owner of the dog left the scene but the mother was photographing her son and got photos of the dog and owner, which led to his identification.
At first, it appeared that there would be no consequences for the dog and its owner, other than a "dangerous dog warning."
But according to the story by Larry Vogel in My Edmonds News, felony charges may be filed.
"After reviewing the facts in the case, Edmonds police have prepared a report to the Snohomish County Prosecutor that could lead to class C felony charges being brought against the owner of a dog who bit a 6-year-old boy at Brackett’s Landing Aug. 19.
"News coverage of the incident by My Edmonds News and others led to a tip that helped police identify the owner, a 40-year-old Edmonds man.
"'We’ve been studying the facts in the case, and have determined that these might justify felony charges under RCW 16.08,” Sgt. Shane Hawley told My Edmonds News Friday.
"The report was sent to the prosecutor late in the day Friday. The prosecutor will review the report next week, and based on this review will decide whether charges are justified, Hawley said."
Are you talking specifically about http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=16.08.040 ? This would have been useful information to include int he article.
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RCW 16.08.040
Dog bites — Liability.
(1) The owner of any dog which shall bite any person while such person is in or on a public place or lawfully in or on a private place including the property of the owner of such dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness.
(2) This section does not apply to the lawful application of a police dog, as defined in RCW 4.24.410."
He needs to be charged. The young victim and his parent experienced significant physical and emotional trauma and pain. Edmonds is not very dog friendly in a way, virtually all their parks are clearly marked in several places, "No Dogs". Then again, they provide an off leash area south of the marina if this dude wanted to let his dog play by the water. He clearly was buying into the thug with pitbull persona in a most public of places.
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