Pit Bull’s Owners Lose Court Bid to Bail Him Out of Kennel

Bruno the pit bull won’t be home for Christmas.

Van Nuys Municipal Judge Michael J. Farrell said the dog, accused of biting two Tujunga residents, threatens public safety and should remain at a Sunland kennel.

“This is a very difficult case,” Farrell said. “I’ve got people here I can feel very sympathetic to. But I’ve got evidence the dog bit, and it wasn’t just a little nip.”

Bruno’s owners, Darla and Harry Grizzelle of Sunland, were convicted in November of harboring a vicious animal and letting it run unrestrained after two neighbors complained that they were bitten in February and May.

Sentencing for the Grizzelles is scheduled for March 28, when the judge is also to decide whether Bruno should be destroyed.

The Grizzelles, who insist their dog is not vicious, asked that Bruno be returned to them until the sentencing.

Their attorney, Frederic J. Warner, said his clients have moved to a more secure house and have built a dog run that is surrounded by a 6-foot-high chain-link fence and bordered by concrete.

They have also offered to hire a trainer to come to the house three times a week.

“They’ve done as much as they could to bring the dog home again,” Warner said.