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Dayton police chief apologizes to family of man killed in pit bull attack

DAYTON — UPDATE @ 4:15 p.m.:

Dayton police Chief Richard Biehl apologized to the family of Maurice Brown for what he said was actions by a police officer, which “were not aligned with the mission, the core values or the training of the Dayton Police Department.”

>> Attorney in dog mauling case said Dayton police 'don't run up and try to help'

“On behalf of the Dayton Police Dept., I extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Maurice Brown for the personal loss of their loved one resulting from this incident,” Biehl said.”

A short time after Anthony D. Austin was sentenced in Dayton Municipal Court, Biehl apologized to Brown’s family for what he said was “neglect of duty for failing to provide immediate medical attention.”

Dayton police cruiser footage played during the trial showed neither  responding officer checked on Brown’s bleeding body for about nine minutes.

Biehl said officer Scott Pendley terminated his employment three weeks after the incident and couldn’t be interviewed for an administrative investigation. Officer Daniel Hartings was issued a training memorandum for neglect of duty for failing to provide immediate medical attention.

Biehl said Hartings couldn’t be disciplined more severely because the internal affairs department then oversaw by Lt. Kimberly Hill didn’t get paperwork done in time as guided by union contracts.

“The response on this video is not the norm of the Dayton Police Dept. responding to critical incidents,” Biehl said. “We are here to protect and effectively serve our community and the visitors of our city. That is the unwavering commitment of our organization and my expectation as police chief.”

UPDATE @ 2:09 p.m.:

The Dayton man convicted for failing to control a pit bull that killed a 60-year-old Air Force veteran in 2017 was sentenced Thursday to 100 days in jail.

Anthony D. Austin, 29, was convicted in February of the first-degree misdemeanor charge after a jury trial before Dayton Municipal Court Judge Deirdre Logan.

The charge was punishable by maximums of up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. Austin has served 57 days and therefore has 43 more to serve.

Logan is suspending 80 more days so that she said she could keep Austin on probation for five years and that he is not allowed to have any dogs where he is residing.

>> Attorney in dog mauling case said Dayton police 'don't run up and try to help'

Maurice Brown, 60, died of blood loss from numerous dog bites on April 25, 2017, after being attacked by a dog in an alley behind a house at 345 Middle St.

INITIAL REPORT:

A Dayton man convicted for failing to control a pit bull that killed a 60-year-old Air Force veteran is back in court today for a sentencing hearing.

A jury found Anthony D. Austin guilty of the first-degree misdemeanor on Feb. 15, according to court records.

Austin is facing up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

On April 25, 2017, Maurice Brown was attacked by a dog in an alley behind a Middle Street house.

The dog reportedly was in the backyard of a Middle Street house and broke free from restraints before attacking.

>> Defendant in deadly Dayton dog mauling incident faces trial

Brown died of blood loss from multiple dog bites.

Austin’s hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

RELATED LINKS:

Man accused of failing to control dog in mauling death asks for jury trial

Dog mauling charge: ‘A misdemeanor for a death — that’s disturbing’

Dayton man pleads not guilty in charges after fatal dog mauling

911 CALL: Dog attack victim pleads 'Jesus, help me' before his deathA year later, no charges in Dayton dog mauling death

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