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Florida Woman Charged With Manslaughter After Dogs Kill Dog Walker
Linda Cutler, 29, was arrested in Melbourne, Florida, a week after her two dogs attacked and killed dog walker Jodi Cowan. Authorities said Cutler feigned a heart attack during the arrest and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
May 29, 9:24 AM·1m read1 source
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A Florida woman has been charged with manslaughter after her two dogs killed a dog walker in Cocoa last month. Linda Cutler, 29, was arrested near a Hilton hotel in Melbourne on Wednesday, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey told reporters. Authorities said she feigned a heart attack while being taken into custody.
m. on May 19 and attacked 50-year-old Jodi Cowan, according to Ivey. Cowan’s husband, Donnell Smith, tried to fend off the animals with a knife.
Cowan called 911 after the attack, saying “I’m dying, can’t breathe,” according to audio obtained by Florida Today. She died from her injuries hours later. ” Cutler was not arrested immediately after the incident. Deputies took her into custody when they responded to an unrelated disturbance at the beachside location.
Authorities said Cutler had not reinforced her fence despite knowing the dogs had escaped before. A neighbor told Florida Today the dogs “were always on the loose,” and one neighbor had previously been bitten by other dogs owned by Cutler. Brevard County authorities could not seize the animals earlier because the prior incidents did not meet legal requirements for removal, WFLA reported.
The two dogs are scheduled to be euthanized. Cutler’s arraignment is set for June 23. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
