Pitbull owners charged with manslaughter

The owners of the two pitbulls which killed a 77-year-old Longden-ville woman three months ago, were charged yesterday with manslaughter. John Sukal,54, an office assistant at the University of the West Indies, and his 23-year-old son Wendell, a welder, surrendered to officers at the Chaguanas CID around 9.30 am yesterday, and were charged with the unlawful death of Chandrawattie Beera. John Sukal hid his face with a towel and hurled abusive language at the media. When they appeared before Chaguanas Magistrate Nanette Forde John, both men were not called upon to plead since the chrages were laid indictably. They were granted bail in the sum of $25,000 each. The matter was adjourned to October 8. Both men were represented by attorney Larry Williams.

On June 22, earlier this year Beera was in the backyard of her home at Dam Road, Longdenville, when she was attacked and mauled by the two pitbulls belonging to the Sukals. She was rushed to the Chaguanas Health Centre and transferred to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. She died around 9.30 pm on June 23. One of the pitbulls was shot dead while the other dog was taken out of the area. An investigation was ordered, and Inspector Hubert Kirk, Ag Sgt Ajith Persad, Cpl Nicholas Aguilerra, Ag Cpl Terrence Williams, carried out extensive inquiries. Statements were recorded from several witnesses. Police investigators went to the scene and allegedly saw an opening in the fence through which one dog escaped, and the other attempted to leave before it was killed.

The file was submitted by ACP Crime James Philbert to Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson for his directions in the matter. The DPP recommended that since the Dangerous Dogs Act has not yet been proclaimed, the appropriate offence is manslaughter. According to Section 16 of the Dogs Act, Chapter 67:54, “any person who, being the owner thereof, suffers or permits to go at large — any dangerous or ferocious dog which is not properly muzzled; or any dog which is in a rabid state is liable to a fine of $200 or to an imprisonment for one month.” The definition of owner under the Dogs Act include the head of the family occupying any house in which a dog is kept.