2 Owners of Pit Bulls Charged in Dog-Attack Death of Doctor

Two people were arraigned on manslaughter charges Tuesday in the death of a retired doctor who was killed by their pit bull dogs.

Joetta Darmstadter and Wilbur Rutledge were arraigned on involuntary manslaughter charges. Pleas of not guilty were entered for them by Judge Carl Kessler, who allowed them to remain free on their own recognizance.

They were indicted May 26 after their two pit bull dogs attacked and killed retired physician William G. Eckman, 67, of Kettering, at their house on April 6. If convicted, each could face from two to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Assistant prosecutor Dennis Langer would not comment on the specifics of the case. But he said he has found cases in which dog owners were convicted of involuntary manslaughter in New York and Florida as far back as 1947.

County prosecutor Lee Falke had said the legal action was “a message for all dog owners that if they have vicious dogs, they have to control them, and I hope if they have dogs this vicious, they will get rid of them.”

There were 13 fatal dog attacks last year, seven involving pit bulls, according to Randall Lockwood of the Humane Assn. of the United States. This year there have been at least four fatal attacks, all involving pit bulls, he said.

The same day Eckman died, 16-month-old Melissa Larabee was killed by the family pit bull in Jones, Okla. Her parents also have been charged with manslaughter, Lockwood said.