Charges have been dismissed against the alleged owner of a pit bull that bit a police officer. The dog has been released to its rightful owner.
The accused owner, Jeremy Flores, 21, had charges of owning a vicious animal by a convicted felon dismissed by General Sessions Judge Larry Ross for two reasons.
The dog bit patrolman Ben Cantrell when he went to Vinewood Drive to investigate calls of vicious dogs roaming the neighborhood. Upon approaching Flores’ yard, he was attacked by a pit bull, the dog biting him in the calf and leaving an open, bleeding wound. The officer was treated at River Park Hospital and the dog placed into custody.
Cantrell said Flores’ wife tried to claim ownership of the animal since her husband was on a judicial diversion on drug charges. The officer did not believe the story and charged Flores, who he believed owned the dog.
However, during a hearing it was determined Flores did not own the dog. Instead, a woman named Wind Dee Jones claimed ownership, saying she had bought the dog from Flores.
Prosecutors then considered still seeking the charge against Flores since he did once own the dog and has been sentenced for felony drug charges. However, since he was on judicial diversion which will allow him to have his record erased once his probation is over, he could not technically be considered a convicted felon and therefore the ownership of a vicious animal by a convicted felon charge could not stick.
The dog has been returned to its owner given the dismissal of the criminal case. There is an outstanding citation for the owner awaiting hearing in city court on Jan. 23, at which time the owner could face a fine for violation of the city leash law.