A Washington State woman from the Tri-Cities region is going to the clink after her dogs attacked and killed a business owner from Kennewick.
Last week, a judge sentenced Sara Amilia Madrigal, 34, to four months in jail for failing to control her two vicious pitbulls. Madrigal’s dogs entered the yard of 65-year-old Billene Cameron and mauled her to death. The pitbulls had a record of “getting loose” and the court was not convinced Madrigal took her responsibilities seriously enough.
Judge Diana Ruff sentenced Madrigal to 10 months in jail (but with work release), which was double what the prosecution asked for. Still, many will find the 10-month sentence almost comically lenient. But given the laws under which Madrigal was prosecuted, she could only have been jailed for a maximum of one year.
Judge Ruff said she viewed Madrigal’s actions the way she sees the choices made by drunk drivers. She said no one leaves a bar drunk intending to kill someone, but they knowingly take that risk. Madrigal well knew how dangerous her dogs were, according to the judge, but she didn’t take the responsibility to keep them caged up.
Friends and family of the slain Billene Cameron packed the courtroom for the sentencing hearing, bringing one of her dogs, Diego, who had also been attacked by Madrigal’s pitbulls.
Judge Ruff said Madrigal knew she had “dangerous dogs roaming the neighborhood,” and she was aware her pitbulls had attacked people and animals before. But instead of doing everything she could to keep the gods under control, she “gave up the search” and Billene Cameron ended up dead.
The judge also wanted to send a message to the public that the law was not going to let dog owners get away with irresponsibly allowing their aggressive canines to roam freely.
The pitbull breed is beloved by owners, and so many of them describe their dogs as “total sweethearts” that it has almost become a clichéd line for pitbull enthusiasts. But they make up only 6 percent of the dog population while being responsible for 68 percent of dog attacks and 52 percent of deaths from dog maulings.
