CASSOPOLIS — Two Cassopolis residents were arraigned Wednesday, June 14 in relation to a dog-biting incident.
Vashaun James Morgan and Justin Darvell Smith have been charged on several counts in relation to an April 8 incident when their pit bull allegedly attacked neighboring children.
Police say 7-year-old Anthony and 2-year-old Arial Harrison were playing in their grandmother’s yard when they were attacked by the pit bull. Both Anthony and Arial were bitten, and Arial sustained extensive damage to the face and neck.
The children’s grandmother Jennifer Hansford also sustained minor injuries
Morgan, 22, faces three charges of dog biting, five counts of dog running at large, four counts of failure to vaccinate, four counts of failure to license and one count of interfering with law enforcement.
Smith, 21, faces three charges of dog biting, five counts of dog running at large, one count of failure to vaccinate, one count of failure to license and one count of interfering with law enforcement.
The interfering with law enforcement charge comes from Morgan and Smith providing false information to police, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said.
All charges carry a sentence of 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
Pretrial dates for the defendants have been set for 9 a.m. June 22 in fourth district court.