Owners of dogs involved in fatal mauling fined

The owners of two dogs involved in the fatal mauling of 22-year-old Rebecca Hardy pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlicensed dog.

Andrew Scott Miller and Jessica Rae Johnson each paid $100 fines Friday, according to court records.

Charges for Miller and Johnson were authorized about two months after Hardy was fatally mauled by a pit bull and husky Dec. 3 at 1721 10th St. in Port Huron.

Hardy had extensive injuries to her throat, spine and head, including the loss of both ears and a portion of her nose and eye.

She was taken to a local hospital before being flown to Royal Oak Beaumont where she died.

Witness: Hardy climbed fence, pulled in by pit bull

A witness said Hardy was climbing into the yard where the dogs were contained when she was pulled over the fence. A neighbor told police the dogs were barking as Hardy climbed the fence.

The neighbor attempted to stop the attack before the owner also came out. The owner hit the pit bull with a 2-by-4 to stop the attack.

The pit bull and husky were euthanized, as well as one of their puppies, with the owner’s consent. Three other puppies were taken by an animal rescue.

Hardy’s death was ruled a suicide by Oakland County Medical Examienr Dr. Ljubisa Dragovic. Dragovic said Hardy had alcohol, marijuana and traces of cocaine in her system.

Investigators found Hardy had a history of substance abuse and had been suicidal in the past. She was arrested on a charge of drunken driving in Huron County about a week prior to her death.

Just before the attack, Hardy and her boyfriend had an argument.

Miller and Johnson were charged Feb. 10 with having unlicensed dogs, which carries up to a 90-day sentence and/or $500 fine.

According to court records, Johnson also was charged with unlicensed dog in January 2015 and August 2014.

Dog licenses mandated by law, but difficult to enforce

At the time the Feb. 10 charges were authorized, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Steve Guilliat said charges of having a dangerous dog causing death were not authorized because the incident didn’t meet legal requirements.

Guilliat said the decision was influenced by the fact that the dogs had no history of biting anyone, that Hardy trespassed onto the property and that her death was ruled a suicide.

"In this case, even though, unfortunately, it did result in a death, that did not result from the dogs being unlicensed," Guilliat said.

Contact Beth LeBlanc at 810-989-6259, eleblanc@gannett.com, or on Twitter @THBethLeBlanc.