DeKalb woman pleads not guilty in DeKalb dog-mauling case
The woman whose dogs mauled an 8-year-old girl in March has pleaded not guilty to reckless conduct and other charges, a DeKalb County prosecutor told the AJC.
Twyann Artrell Vaughn pleaded not guilty to two counts of reckless conduct and two counts of failure to obtain a rabies inoculation in court Tuesday morning, said Nicole Marchand, acting solicitor general.
Vaughn was charged after her two dogs roamed from her home and attacked Erin Ingram, a student at Rock Chapel Elementary.
Erin, then a third-grader, was playing outside when the dogs -- a mixed breed and an American Staffordshire Terrier -- approached her, DeKalb police said at the time of the incident.
A DeKalb police officer used a baton to remove the dogs from Erin, police said. When the dogs began circling the officer, he pulled out a gun and shot the terrier, police said.
The mixed breed ran toward its house and later was caught by animal control officers. The dog was euthanized, police said.
Erin underwent emergency surgery and lost part of her arm, her family told the AJC at the time.
In court Tuesday, Vaughn first asked to hire an attorney, Marchand said. Then she asked Judge Dax Lopez if she could apply to be represented by a public defender instead, Marchand said.
Her next court date is Dec. 16 at 9 a.m., Marchand said.
