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San Jose Pit Bull Owner Facing Felony Charges

Felony Charge Dropped
UPDATE 03/18/09: A judge has dropped a felony charge against a San Jose man whose pit bull badly injured a neighbor last year as he tried to protect his dog. Ivan Batinich, 22, had been charged with allowing a vicious animal to be at large. Judge Jerome Brock of Santa Clara County Superior Court dismissed the case, saying there was not enough evidence to prove Batinich knew his dog was dangerous.

Bella ran off and still hasn't been found. Batinich's pit bull has been euthanized.

09/23/08: The Story of Steve and Bella
San Jose, CA - Back in April, there was a story about a man name Steve Belsley and his dog Bella. Steve had taken his dog out for a walk in a South San Jose neighborhood when a loose pit bull attack him and his dog. The owner of the pit bull, 22-year old Ivan Batinich, has now been charged with a felony that could land him three years in prison.

On the night of the April 11 attack, the pit bull reportedly charged after Steve. The pit bull bit the man more than 20 times, prosecutors say, and he will probably suffer permanent damage from the attack. Belsley tried to save his own pet from the attack, lifting Bella over his head to protect her, but he eventually had to put her down because he was getting attacked. Bella ran off and is still missing.

Terri Belsley, Steve's wife said, "We had no idea that this aggressive pit bull lived less than a block from us. Steve is most likely going to have permanent damage to his arm and fingers." She said one of his tendons isn't healing properly, and his doctor said that he may not be able to fully extend his left middle finger again. He is an engineer for Lockheed Martin in Sunnyvale and uses a computer at work.

The search for Bella is still on:
Friends and strangers have led many fruitless searches for the 20-pound black and tan Shiba Inu. As recently as 3 days ago, there was an apparent sighting of her. For more information on the search, please visit: www.bringbellahome.info.

Related articles:
09/12/08: Boy Scout Stabs, Kills Pit Bulls Attacking Friend's Dog
09/03/08: Calgary Owner and Dog Traumatized After Pit Bull Attack