Grinning dog-owner is let off with light sentence for mauling death of 86-year-old woman by his three pit bulls – after shameless Facebook posts about the killing

A brazen pit bull owner was seen laughing after being handed a light sentence after his three dogs battered an 83-year-old woman to death in Canada.

Betty Ann Williams, better known as Rusty, was attacked by her neighbors’ pit bulls in Calgary in June 2022 while she was gardening in front of her home.

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

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

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

Betty Ann Williams, better known as Rusty, was attacked by her neighbors’ pit bulls in Calgary in June 2022 while gardening in front of her home

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

The neighbor also saw Bagaric trying 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, Judge Gordon Wong said: ‘All three surrounded Ms Williams before she begged for help, making it all the more difficult for her to escape the situation.’

Wong has not ordered the two dogs to be euthanized, but separate procedures are underway to determine what will happen to them.

He added: “It is irresponsible not to take steps to euthanize all three immediately. [Bagaric] puts his own wishes above the safety of the community.”

Before his sentencing, Bagaric wrote on Facebook: “Unfortunately, I sincerely apologize for the suffering that many have had to endure.

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

Bagaric has reshared several old photos 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 out, I am continually 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 wrongly deemed cruel and face the threat of euthanasia. I ask the court to consider the truth and justice in this trial tomorrow.”

As he left court Monday, Bagaric told the Globe and Mail, “It’s a very sad situation.”

After the sentencing, Bagaric reshared several old photos of at least five pit bulls on social media.

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

One of the messages he shared reads: “In memory of all the pit bulls killed out of ignorance.”