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Fontana Teen Suspected of Siccing Pit Bull on Child

Teen Sentenced to Four Years
UPDATE 10/02/08: After accepting a plea agreement Aug. 21 to one charge of assault by means to produce great bodily injury, today, Hicklin was sentenced to four years in prison. The 8-year old victim was bitten in the thigh and face. Officials have said the boy will suffer permanent facial injuries.

2/13/08: Teen Dog Owner to Be Tried as an Adult
Paul Davis Hicklin III, 17, was charged as an adult with two counts of assault for producing great bodily injury. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison on each count. The attack took place after school on Loma Vista Court. "This was a deliberate, purposeful act," Officer Decker said.

02/11/08: Teen Arrested: Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Fontana, CA - A teenager was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon for siccing a pit bull on an 8-year old Dakoda Mitchell who suffered severe injuries to his face. The 17-year-old Fontana teen was booked into West Valley Juvenile Hall in Rancho Cucamonga Friday.

As reported in the earlier story regarding this case, the teen is suspected of intentionally setting the dog upon the boy Jan. 30 after warning the dog would attack if he didn't leave the teen's yard. As the boy walked away, the teen let the dog out of the house and verbally commanded him to attack, police said.

The pit bull bit the boy in the right cheek and jaw, requiring him to have extensive reconstructive surgeries. He is still recuperating. After the attack, the teen placed the pit bull in the backyard of a vacant house and hid in his house. The dog attacked police when they arrived, forcing officers to shoot the pit bull.