Attorney: No Proof Dog Who Mauled Boy Was Wolf Hybrid
LINCOLN PARK (WWJ) - A Lincoln Park couple has pleaded not guilty in the mauling death of a 5-year-old boy.
The 29-year-old Debralynn Holland and her 35-year-old live-in boyfriend Earl Adkins were arraigned in 25th District Court, Wednesday afternoon.
Both pleaded not guilty to several charges, including manslaughter.
Prosecutors say Holland's son, Kyle, was sleeping when he was mauled and eaten by Adkins' dog, a wolf hybrid.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Stephanie Davis spoke with attorney Daniel Blank who is representing Adkins.
"I don't think there's going to be any proof, to my knowledge, that the animal was a dangerous animal," said Blank. "I think the issue's going to be is it inherently dangerous as a result of whether it's a wolf hybrid or not, and we're going to be disputing that," he said.
"You're going to hear testimony, when this case begins to develop, that there are additional issues with respect to whether this dog was actually a hybrid wolf ... This case is going to demonstrate that the scientific data, with respect to these type of animals, is in a massive state of confusion," Blank said.
Both Holland and Adkins are out on bond. A preliminary hearing is set for early next month.
