Son of Double, Fatal Dog Attack in Livingston Testifies
Son Discovers BodyOn September 13th,
Edward Gierlach and Cheryl Harper were fatally attacked by a pack of American bulldog-mixes. Today, Gierlach's son Eugene testified at the criminal trial of dog owner Diane Cockrell. The owner is being charged with two 15-year felonies for having dangerous animals, which caused the deaths of two persons. Eugene said he discovered his father's body that day lying in the family's driveway.
He said his father's body was missing flesh on his leg, including a portion that was "just bone." A short while later, he saw what appeared to be a pile of debris in the road. It turned out to be the body of Cheryl Harper.
Detroit Edison meter reader, Jeffrey Franklin, delivered explosive testimony against Mrs. Cockrell. After having a run-in with the dogs himself, he said that Cockrell had wanted it noted in her files that she had "vicious" dogs on her property to alert future employees. With this testimony, the dog owner will be unable to claim that she was unaware of the threat her dogs posed to the community.
Related articles:07/27/08:
Coverage of the Double Dog Attack Fatalities in Livingston
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