Boyfriend, who owned second dog, to enter plea April 3
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A Golden woman has pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog, after her and her boyfriend’s pit bulls attacked her 12-year-old son and killed her 88-year-old grandmother last fall.
Kayla Mooney, who owned one of the dogs, received deferred judgment on the charges for two years. The judge ordered her to complete 100 hours of community service and to complete restitution, which will be determined at a later time.
Victor Bentley, Mooney’s boyfriend who owned the other dog, is expected to enter a plea 3:30 p.m. April 3 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
On Sept. 14, Golden police officers responded to reports of an animal bite in the 15700 block of West First Avenue. Officers found two pit bulls attacking 88-year-old Mary Gehring in Mooney’s backyard. Gehring and Mooney’s children had stopped by the house, and when the dogs attacked, the children went to call for help.
After additional officers arrived and held off the dogs, paramedics transported Gehring to St. Anthony Hospital. She was taken off life support and died on Sept. 17.
Mooney’s son was taken to Children’s Hospital but was released a few days later.
The dogs were captured and later euthanized.
In October, the DA’s Office charged Mooney with four counts — two felony and two misdemeanor — of unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog. Bentley was similarly charged with one felony count and one misdemeanor.
Golden doesn’t have dog breed ban laws, city officials have stated. Owners are only required to have their dogs licensed and vaccinated to maintain compliance, and both dogs involved were up-to-date on their shots, according to the arrest affidavit.
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