County puts down pitbulls

Three of four pitbulls that attacked a teen in Downtown Auburn have been euthanized. Mike Winters, program manager of Placer County Animal Services, confirmed Friday that three pibtulls were put to a final rest after Judge Richard Couzens deemed them "vicious.""The three were euthanized without incident," Winters said. The fourth dog, however, is under the care of a pitbull expert who is expected to send monthly reports to Couzens. Couzens made the decision to euthanize the dogs after listening to evidence presented during a Jan. 29 court hearing. The hearing centered around a Sept. 16 incident during which four pitbulls attacked then 17-year-old Weimar resident Joseph "JoJo" Kerschner. Kerschner was seriously injured as a result of the attack.The dogs' owner, Auburn resident Daniel Coverston, attempted to keep all four dogs and appealed Judge Joseph O'Flaherty's first ruling that deemed the dogs "vicious" and ordered for their death. Couzens' decision was the second and final ruling on the matter. The fourth dog allegedly involved in the attack, Otis, was sent to reality television star Tia Maria Torres' Southern California pitbull rescue center. Couzens said that because there was no direct evidence that proved Otis bit Kerschner, he was willing to give the dog a second chance in the hands of an expert. Torres is expected to send monthly reports to Couzens, who will monitor Otis' behavior and see if it improves. DA reviewing bribery caseDuring the second hearing on the fate of the pitbulls, Winters revealed on the stand that Coverston had offered him $10,000 to save one of the dogs. Winters said the Coverston was emotional when he made the alleged bribe. Winters said Friday that he was interviewed by the Sheriff's Office regarding the incident but declined to comment further. On Friday, Dena Erwin, spokeswoman for the Placer County Sheriff's Office, said that the department investigated the case and forwarded it to the District Attorney's Office. Erwin added that no arrests were made. Art Campos, spokesman for the District Attorney's Office, said that the office is currently reviewing the case but no charges have been filed. Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcoutnrymedia.com