California:A California man whose pitbull dogs mauled a grandmother to death was jailed Friday for 15 years after being convicted of second-degree murder.
Alex Jackson could have served up to 24 years behind bars over the incident in which four dogs attacked 63-year-old pedestrian Pamela Devitt in May last year, leaving up to 200 puncture wounds across her body.
She died on the way to hospital from loss of blood.
"This is a very tragic, emotional case," said Judge Lisa M. Chung of the Superior Court in Lancaster, north of Los Angeles, noting that Jackson, 31, had a criminal history.
Jackson was also convicted of cultivating marijuana at his home in Littlerock, 50 miles (80 kilometers) northeast of Los Angeles, where he kept eight dogs, including six pitbulls.
What appeared to be blood was found on the coats of the four dogs involved in the attack.
At least three other incidents involving Jackson`s dogs attacking people had been reported to authorities since January 2013, his trial heard.
Jackson was convicted of one count of second-degree murder in August, but acquitted of a single charge of assault with a deadly weapon, involving an alleged run-in with a horse rider in January 2013.
Devitt`s husband said during sentencing that he and his wife went on regular walks after the birth of their grandson four years ago.
"Her story should not have ended in such a horrific way," he said.California"
