Judge to determine fate of pit bulls in violent attack

The owners of two pit bulls involved in an attack earlier this month won’t surrender the animals to the county, leaving it up to a Yuba County Superior Court judge to determine whether the animals are vicious and should be euthanized.

Leslie Carbah, spokesperson for the Yuba County Sheriff’s Office, said both pit bulls have completed

their 10-day quarantine, meaning the owners can now pay a redemption fee – $265 for the male pit bull and $269 for the female.

“(The owners) have until end of business day (today) to pay redemption fees to claim the animals. However, even if fees are paid, the dogs will not be released pending the outcome of the ‘vicious dog’ filing,” Carbah said.

Carbah said if fees aren’t paid by the end of today, the animals become property of the county and will be euthanized.

Cycellia Palmer, 33, who is the owner of the female pit bull, said she is going to pay the redemption fee.

“I’m going to pay the redemption fees because my female wasn’t at fault,” Palmer said.

Palmer said she was watching both pit bulls at her encampment on Simpson Lane at the time of the attack. She said the two pit bulls had become entangled when she went to fix their collars.

When one of the victims – Kevin Hinman – was walking past the encampment, the male dog felt threatened, she said.

The female pit bull recently had a litter of 11 puppies, and the dogs became protective, Palmer said. As Hinman approached, the male dog attacked him, and the female dog followed suit.

“She was protecting her puppies. After everything was over, she was confused and scared. She crawled back in with her puppies and laid down. She was following the other dog,” Palmer said.

Four people were injured in the attack.

The sheriff’s office said the owner of the male pit bull was Mandy Sanchez, 30. Palmer said the male pit bull was one of the female’s prior offspring. She said she and Sanchez have been sharing custody of the male dog after its actual owner went to prison.

Palmer said the arraignment for the “vicious dog” filing is scheduled to begin today at the Yuba County Superior Courthouse.

“If a judge rules the dogs meet the vicious designation, they will be euthanized,” Carbah said.

Because both dogs completed quarantine and are still healthy, Carbah said Animal Care Services will not have to test for rabies in the event the dogs are euthanized. She said criminal charges haven’t been filed against the dog owners, but both Palmer and Sanchez could be held civilly liable. Marysville office, 1530 Ellis Lake Drive Business hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Main number....................

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