Woman whose dogs mauled neighbor gets 15 to life

[singularity12]

Found this on today's newswire. I think I remember hearing the story when it first came out. One thing that stands out to me is that the breed of the dogs isn't mentioned. Maybe I'm just getting cynical in my old age, but I can't believe that the breed wouldn't be mentioned if it had been Pits or Rotties. But, I don't know the facts about the dogs so it is just speculation.

I do have to say, though, that I am glad to see the irresponsible owners pay a serious price for this. It doesn't even matter what the breed of the dogs was. These people should NOT have had these dogs in their possession in the first place. I can't even imagine the background of these dogs to have made them do this. A terrible situation all around for both the victim and the dogs.


SAN FRANCISCO - 9/22/2008

A woman whose dogs viciously attacked and killed her neighbor in the hallway of their apartment building seven years ago was sentenced Monday to 15 years to life in prison. Marjorie Knoller was convicted of second-degree murder in the 2001 mauling death of Dianne Whipple, but a judge later reduced the charge to involuntary manslaughter and sentenced her in 2002 to a four-year prison term. But the California Supreme Court last year said the trial judge was wrong and sent the case back. Last month, Superior Court Judge Charlotte Woolard reinstated the murder conviction, for which Knoller was sentenced Monday. The case is the California's first murder conviction connected to a dog mauling, prosecutors say. The case turned into a tabloid sensation because of the viciousness of the attack — the dogs tore all of Whipple's clothing from her body and left her with more than 70 bites — and the seemingly cavalier attitudes of Knoller and her law partner and husband, Robert Noel, who blamed Whipple for the attack. The couple also said they were keeping the canines on behalf of a white supremacist accused of running an attack dog ring from his state prison cell. The couple eventually adopted the prisoner, Paul "Cornfed" Schneider, as their son. Knoller, who has served three years in prison, will have to serve 12 more years before she can apply for parole. In denying Knoller's plea for probation, Woolard noted that Knoller didn't call 911 or otherwise try to help Whipple during the 10-minute attack. The judge said Knoller knew the dogs were dangerous, ignored numerous warnings to train them and hasn't expressed remorse for the attack. "She has blamed the victim and has held her dogs in higher regard than humans," Woolard said. Whipple's partner, Sharon Smith, addressed Knoller before she was led off to jail. Smith called Knoller's relationship with the two dogs and the prisoner "perverted" and expressed satisfaction with the lengthy prison sentence. "It is very hard to find forgiveness for someone who doesn't accept responsibility," Smith said.

[hennie400]

The dogs were Presa Canarios from memory.

[fbkeays]

Originally Posted by hennie400

The dogs were Presa Canarios from memory.

That is correct. It was a terrible time to own rottweilers at the time. I would be asked if my Duncan's name was "Bane", the male presa. I would be asked if they were the same kind of dog as the ones that killed Diane Whipple and I would say no and I would be told that it didn't matter, rotts, pits, presa's they were all the same.
I had to change where I walked my dogs because people would swerve towards us in their cars. People would shout nasty things too. My Fizbin's mother was killed, while on a 6 foot leash, by a driver that swerved and hit her. I serious feared for my dogs' lives.

[DocJon]

I just read on Wikipedia they were Presa Canario/Mastiff Crosses.

Dunno if that's correct or if it means anything. Just thought I'd throw it out there (shrug)

[Nishasmom]

Originally Posted by fbkeays

That is correct. It was a terrible time to own rottweilers at the time. I would be asked if my Duncan's name was "Bane", the male presa. I would be asked if they were the same kind of dog as the ones that killed Diane Whipple and I would say no and I would be told that it didn't matter, rotts, pits, presa's they were all the same.
I had to change where I walked my dogs because people would swerve towards us in their cars. People would shout nasty things too. My Fizbin's mother was killed, while on a 6 foot leash, by a driver that swerved and hit her. I serious feared for my dogs' lives.

OMG that is just horrible .