Fatal dog attack case headed to grand jury

Published 10:01 am Thursday, March 7, 2019

The husband of a Clark County woman killed by their own dog will now wait to see if he is indicted for felony wanton endangerment and failure to report a previous dog attack.

April Collins was attacked at home by a pit bull named Duke, which had attacked her twice in less than six weeks prior to her death Nov. 1.

During a preliminary hearing for April’s husband Christopher Collins Wednesday in Clark District Court, Clark County Sheriff’s Detective Matt Eversole said Duke was contained in a kennel when he arrived on the scene at 403 Verna Drive. Paramedics had already taken April Collins to the hospital. She died later at the University of Kentucky Medical Center.

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During the investigation, Eversole said he learned the dog attacked April Collins on Sept. 29 and she was admitted to Clark Regional Medical Center. The dog then attacked April and Christopher Collins on Oct. 31, but they did not report the incident.

Eversole said he recovered text messages from Christopher Collins’ cell phone indicating he did not report it because he did not want to lose the dog.

Eversole said Christopher Collins told him April was the one who did not want to lose the dog and did not report the incident.

On Nov. 1, Christopher Collins said he went to work and left April Collins and Duke at home. At some point during the day, the dog attacked and seriously injured April Collins.

When Christopher Collins returned home that night, he found April unresponsive and called 911, Eversole said.

Eversole said he also recovered several texts between April and Christopher Collins Nov. 1 where he indicated he was concerned about her safety and that she was drinking. He said the only time Duke attacked April Collins was when she had been drinking.

Christopher Collins’ attorney Charlie Gore argued his client had no role in what happened.

“She was the one home with the dog,” he said. “I’ve not heard any conduct on his part that contributed to this tragic situation.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Heidi Engel said Christopher Collins disregarded the risks.

“This is a vicious dog that attacked this woman a month prior and she was admitted to the ICU,” Engel said. “He knew the risk the dog could attack her. She’s left alone. It’s failure to protect an individual.”

Clark District Judge Cole Adams Maier determined there was probable cause for the charges and forwarded the case to the grand jury, which has 60 days to act.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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