Man Attacked by Dog, Then Slain in Knifing

An Inglewood man was attacked by a pit bull terrier, then was stabbed to death with his own knife by the dog’s owner in a dispute over $20, Inglewood police reported Thursday.

Officers said Kevin C. Smith, 24, was confronted in the 11100 block of South Prairie Avenue about midnight by Gary Lee Carlin, 28, of Houston, who had the 60-pound dog on a leash and claimed Smith owed him $20. Police said witnesses quoted Carlin as threatening to set the dog on Smith unless Smith paid.

One bystander reportedly told officers that he interceded and offered to pay Carlin the $20 in order to head off violence, but his offer was refused.

Smith reportedly drew a knife as Carlin released the dog, which grabbed Smith’s arm, forcing him to drop the weapon. Carlin allegedly picked up the knife and chased Smith, stabbing him several times in the chest.

As the victim lay dying in the street, witnesses said, Carlin and the dog got into a pickup truck and left.

Carlin was spotted by Inglewood officers and arrested at 97th Street and Prairie Avenue about 7 a.m., Sgt. Harold Moret said. He was booked for investigation of murder and held without bail.