Pit bull owner charged with murder is accused in prior dog attack

1/9

Ben Devitt holds a photo of his wife Pamela Devitt inside his home in Littlerock. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

2/9

Alex Donald Jackson, who is charged with murder and other counts stemming from the mauling death of a Littlerock woman by a pack of pit bulls, is shown at his arraignment in Lancaster. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

3/9

A cross of flowers still stands at the site where Pamela Devitt was killed by a pack of dogs on May 9 in Littlerock. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

4/9

Jane Hammer, shown with her husband Rally, holds the pistol she carries around her neck when walking near her home. The Hammers live down the road from where Pamela Devitt was killed by a pack of dogs on May 9. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

5/9

Ben Devitt holds a photo of his wife, Pamela Maria Devitt, who was killed by a pack of pit bulls May 9 in Littlerock. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

6/9

A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy drives by the spot on Avenue S where a pack of pit bulls fatally mauled 63-year-old Pamela Maria Devitt. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

7/9

Authorities seized six pit bulls and two other dogs from this home on May 9. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

8/9

One of the pit bulls seized by authorities was being kept in an Los Angeles County animal shelter in Lancaster. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

9/9

Neighbors told KTLA-TV Channel 5 that they shot a video of the dogs hopping over the fence at the house where they lived. “If there’s people on horses or elderly people walking, they attack them,” one man, who did not want to be identified, told the station. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

By Richard Winton

May 30, 2013 4:23 PM PT

A pit bull owner charged with murder after four of his dogs allegedly mauled a woman in Littlerock has also been charged with assault in connection with another dog in January.

Alex Jackson, 29, was arrested and charged Thursday in connection with the killing of Pamela Devitt.

District attorney’s spokeswoman Jane Robison said Jackson’s dogs were involved in another attack on Jan. 13. In that case, his dogs attacked a horse and the horse kicked back in defense. As the incident escalated, Jackson tossed a rock at the person riding the horse, Robison said.

Robison said it is one of three incidents that demonstrate that Jackson knew the dogs were dangerous and led prosecutors to seek a murder charge in the May 9 attack.

“We believe there was evidence that he was aware the dogs were vicious and they have attacked before and he knew of the danger they posed,” Robison said.

Fatal dog maulings are rare but murder charges in those cases are even rarer. Robison said the office cannot recall a similar case.

Jackson faces up to life in prison if convicted, a Los Angeles County district attorney’s spokesman said. Eight dogs -- six pit bulls and two mixed breeds -- were recovered from his home, sheriff’s officials said. Four of the dogs were believed to be involved in the attack. What appeared to be blood was found on their coats and muzzles.

In the fatal Antelope Valley case, Pamela Devitt, 63, was walking on May 9 when she was attacked by a pack of four pit bulls. A passerby spotted the attack and called police.

A deputy found one of the dogs still attacking the victim when he arrived on scene. Devitt died en route to the hospital as a result of blood loss. Coroner’s officials said they found 150 to 200 puncture wounds and sharp force trauma across her body.

The death prompted a wide search for a pack of roving pit bulls.

ALSO:Teen driver in fatal O.C. crash may have been going 100 mph

Disneyland worker charged in dry-ice explosions is ‘cooperating’

O.C. to pay $4.4-million settlement in deputy’s slaying of Marine

richard.winton@latimes.com

Twitter: @lacrimes| Google+

richard.winton@latimes.com