BARSTOW--Charges stemming from the fatal pit bull attack on a Yermo woman have been filed.

Jeffrey King, Jr. and John Peterson, both 23, owned the two dogs that mauled Kelly Caldwell as she walked down a street near her desert home last Christmas.

Prosecutor Sean Daugherty said the two men are accused of failing to maintain mischievous animals that cause death, a felony. “The punishment carries with it up to 3 years in state prison.”

Daugherty said there was no evidence to indicate the men had attempted to keep the dogs penned up. They have since been euthanized. Their DNA was found on the victim.

The suspects pleaded innocent at their arraignment Friday and return to court Monday for a bail hearing.

Story Date: September 21, 2008