'It’s not my fault': Mauling Victim's Son

ROSEVILLE, MI — Robert Laughton doesn’t believe the alleged mauling of his mother and her boyfriend Sunday by his pit-bull mix is his fault. Nor does he think he should face charges for the actions of “Bruce,” despite it being the second attack on his mother in less than a month.

Macomb County officials, however, are considering charging him with harboring a vicious animal causing injuries and a decision could come as soon as Wednesday. Laughton’s 52-year old mother was allegedly mauled Sunday at about 9 p.m. at the family’s Roseville home in 30600 block of Normal Street near 13 Mile and Utica Road. Her condition was upgraded to good Tuesday, according to a Detroit News report.

Her 51-year boyfriend was in serious condition Tuesday and underwent extensive surgery to repair damage on his arms from the attack, the newspaper reported. Roseville Police Chief James Berlin said the man lost part of his ear, suffered injuries to his neck and chest and will require several more surgeries.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Laughton told The Detroit News. “It’s not my fault. My dog was loved. He had toys. I did not abuse my dog. I didn’t make my dog vicious. My dog did what he did. He’s paid for it.”

The dog was euthanized Monday. On April 12, Laughton was issued a ticket after Bruce bit Laughton’s mother on the arms, requiring 30 stitches, the newspaper reported.

Laughton wasn’t home when the attack occurred Sunday. He said his mother and her boyfriend were sitting on the sofa with Bruce when the dog attacked his mother. “The dog was licking on her. She put him down and he started attacking her,” Laughton told the Detroit News.

He feels he has been unfairly attacked by the media and online over the incident. “I don’t feel I should be slandered and bashed like I am,” Laughton said.

Roseville officials suggested that Bruce, 11 ½ years old, be euthanized after the April incident. But neither Laughton or his mother he and his wanted to pay $200 for it and decided to give the dog another chance. Laughton said he believes the Sunday incident was caused by a “neurological trigger” the dog might have been experiencing, the Detroit News reported.

Photo by wp_paarz via Flickr Commons