Bear-Arms
Mentor
Bears' Sanders may be charged in mauling death
April 28, 2005
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter Advertisement
Officials in Ohio are investigating the possibility of bringing criminal charges against Bears tight end Darnell Sanders, whose dogs were involved in the attack and death of an 82-year-old man this month.
Ernie Assad, who lived in Parma, Ohio, for more than five decades, died Sunday, 11 days after Sanders' pit bull and American bulldog, and one other dog, attacked him as he watered plants in his backyard. Already charged were Natalie Gruttadauria, with whom Sanders left his dogs to attend the Bears' offseason conditioning program, and her brother, Dominick Gruttadauria.
Natalie Gruttadauria was charged with two counts of harboring pit bulls, two counts of failing to secure a vicious dog on a premises and two counts of failing to restrain a vicious dog off a premises. Dominick Gruttadauria was charged with one count of having a general dog at large -- a Cane Corso also involved in the attack -- and two counts of harboring pit bulls. Officials are awaiting results of an autopsy before considering additional charges. Each count is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
According to family, Assad was paralyzed and unable to speak after the attack and underwent two brain surgeries to relieve blood clots before he died.
Under state law, Sanders was required to have $100,000 liability insurance for the pit bull. Police are investigating to determine if he had such insurance and whether the dogs were licensed in the municipality in which he lives. His dogs are in custody of an animal shelter and might be destroyed.
"There is a possibility criminal charges will be issued against Darnell,'' Berea prosecutor Greg Sponseller said Wednesday.
The Bears claimed the 6-6, 270-pound Sanders off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons in February. The former Ohio State tight end was originally a fourth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2002. Sanders, 26, has made 15 career starts and has 18 receptions and two touchdowns.
"Darnell wants everybody to know he expresses his sympathies to Mr. Assad's family,'' said Sanders' attorney, Steve Potter. "It was an unfortunate incident that occurred while Darnell was in Chicago. He has been a responsible pet owner and to the best of our knowledge always had his animals cared for by properly licensed veterinarians and has had them licensed.''
"It's a shame that it happened,'' said Sanders' agent, Richard Katz. "Darnell feels awful bad.''
April 28, 2005
BY BRAD BIGGS Staff Reporter Advertisement
Officials in Ohio are investigating the possibility of bringing criminal charges against Bears tight end Darnell Sanders, whose dogs were involved in the attack and death of an 82-year-old man this month.
Ernie Assad, who lived in Parma, Ohio, for more than five decades, died Sunday, 11 days after Sanders' pit bull and American bulldog, and one other dog, attacked him as he watered plants in his backyard. Already charged were Natalie Gruttadauria, with whom Sanders left his dogs to attend the Bears' offseason conditioning program, and her brother, Dominick Gruttadauria.
Natalie Gruttadauria was charged with two counts of harboring pit bulls, two counts of failing to secure a vicious dog on a premises and two counts of failing to restrain a vicious dog off a premises. Dominick Gruttadauria was charged with one count of having a general dog at large -- a Cane Corso also involved in the attack -- and two counts of harboring pit bulls. Officials are awaiting results of an autopsy before considering additional charges. Each count is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
According to family, Assad was paralyzed and unable to speak after the attack and underwent two brain surgeries to relieve blood clots before he died.
Under state law, Sanders was required to have $100,000 liability insurance for the pit bull. Police are investigating to determine if he had such insurance and whether the dogs were licensed in the municipality in which he lives. His dogs are in custody of an animal shelter and might be destroyed.
"There is a possibility criminal charges will be issued against Darnell,'' Berea prosecutor Greg Sponseller said Wednesday.
The Bears claimed the 6-6, 270-pound Sanders off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons in February. The former Ohio State tight end was originally a fourth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2002. Sanders, 26, has made 15 career starts and has 18 receptions and two touchdowns.
"Darnell wants everybody to know he expresses his sympathies to Mr. Assad's family,'' said Sanders' attorney, Steve Potter. "It was an unfortunate incident that occurred while Darnell was in Chicago. He has been a responsible pet owner and to the best of our knowledge always had his animals cared for by properly licensed veterinarians and has had them licensed.''
"It's a shame that it happened,'' said Sanders' agent, Richard Katz. "Darnell feels awful bad.''