The partner of a Florida woman who was fatally attacked by a neighbour's pit bulls has been arrested after police found the couple's dogs decomposing in their home.
Donnell Smith, 50, was taken into custody on Monday following a welfare check at the trailer he shared with Jodi Cowan in Brevard County. Officers discovered the remains of two dogs, with no food, water or air conditioning in the property. Sheriff Wayne Ivey said Smith had not checked on the animals since June 2.
Cowan was killed on May 15 while walking her dogs. She was found by Smith after he heard a faint cry for help. He told reporters he saw two dogs dragging her down the road and tried to fight them off with a knife. Cowan died hours later in hospital.
The owner of the attacking dogs, Linda Cutler, 29, was arrested two weeks ago on a manslaughter charge. Sheriff Ivey said Cutler had prior knowledge that her dogs repeatedly escaped and had attacked people.
Smith faces aggravated felony animal cruelty and several misdemeanours. He is due in court on June 16. A necropsy will determine the cause of death for the dogs found in the home.
