EVERETT — A woman whose dogs got loose and attacked five people and killed a cat in north Everett in August 2012 pleaded guilty Friday to a felony.
With the plea, Michelle D. Patino, 32, admitted that she knew or should have known her dogs were dangerous.
Patino did not make any statements in court other than to answer questions from the judge. At least one of the dogs’ victims is expected to speak at her sentencing, set for late January.
Patino’s pit bull and boxer dug out of their fence Aug. 25, 2012, court papers show. Everett police found a beer keg that was supposed to be blocking the dogs in the yard.
Once loose, the dogs went on what Everett police called a “chomping spree” — attacking people and animals until one of the dogs was fatally shocked with an electric stun gun by an officer and the other dog was quarantined. The second dog later was euthanized.
The city of Everett in 2011 had deemed the dogs potentially dangerous, according to court papers. Patino failed to follow up on the requirements to keep the dogs at her home, including enclosure rules.
Before Friday, she had no felony history and one misdemeanor for a driving offense from 2007.
In court on Friday, Patino’s attorney, Jim Johanson, said the issue of Patino’s restitution remains unresolved.
“The bills have not been tallied yet,” he said.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
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