Grinning dog

An unapologetic pit bull owner was seen smiling after he was let off with a light punishment after his three dogs mauled an 83-year-old woman to death in Canada.

Betty Ann Williams, known as Rusty, was attacked by her neighbor's pit bulls as she gardened outside her home in June 2022 in Calgary. 

Pit bull enthusiast Denis Bagaric pleaded guilty in February to allowing an animal to attack and injure a person and allowing dogs to run at large, as reported by the CBC.

On Monday he was fined $18,000 and banned from owning any animals for 15years - and smirked as he avoided jail. 

Bagaric's three pit bulls - Bossii, Cinnamon and Smoki - escaped from his fenced yard the day Williams was killed. 

Pit bull enthusiast Denis Bagaric pleaded guilty in February to allowing an animal to attack and injure a person and allowing dogs to run at large

Betty Ann Williams, known as Rusty, was attacked by her neighbor's pit bulls as she gardened outside her home in June 2022 in Calgary

A neighbor testified in court that they heard Williams cry for help and saw three dogs attacking her on her head and neck. 

The neighbor also saw Bagaric try to pull the dogs away and back into his yard. 

Bagaric has claimed that only one of the dogs, Smoki, was involved in the attack and consented to the pit bull being euthanized.

However, Justice Gordon Wong said: 'All three surrounded Ms. Williams before her plea for help which made her escaping the situation all the more difficult.'

Wong did not order the two dogs to be euthanized, but there are separate proceedings ongoing to determine what will happen to them.

He added:  'To take no steps to euthanize all three immediately is irresponsible. [Bagaric] put his own wishes over the safety of the community.'

Before his sentencing, Bagaric wrote on Facebook: 'Regrettably, I express my sincerest apologies for the suffering that many have endured. 

On Monday he was fined $18,000 and banned from owning any animals for 15years

Bagaric re-shared various old pictures of at least five pit bulls on social media 

Bagaric, who is originally from Croatia, has continued to post about his beloved pit bulls

'Despite my reluctance to speak up, I have been consistently misrepresented by AHS through falsehoods and media manipulation. 

'In an unjust turn of events, my beloved canine companions, who embody the values of love, family, and loyalty, have been wrongfully deemed vicious and face the threat of euthanasia. I implore the court to consider the truth and justice in this trial tomorrow.'

As he left court on Monday, Bagaric told the Globe and Mail: 'It’s a really sad situation.' 

After the sentencing, Bagaric re-shared various old pictures of at least five pit bulls on social media.

Bagaric, who is originally from Croatia, has continued to post about his beloved pit bulls on Facebook after Williams' death, including images of the breed with small children.

One of the posts he shared reads: 'In memory of all pit bulls killed out of ignorance.' 

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