*In New Orleans East, a judge has set a bond of $100,000 for a man named Chad Bridges. He is charged with negligent homicide after his dogs attacked and killed an elderly woman. This tragic incident happened last week and has raised many questions about the care and control of pets.
Details of the Attack
The victim was Barbara Stewart, who was 81 years old. Reports say the dogs attacked her while she was doing something simple.
“My client was putting refuge in a recycle bin in her yard, in her driveway, when these three dogs came through the neighbor’s fence and attacked her,” explained Shawn Broussard, Stewart’s attorney.
This attack was shocking. It is alleged that the dogs were trained to be vicious. The New Orleans Police Department responded quickly to the scene. They found Stewart with multiple injuries from the brutal dog attack. She was taken to a hospital but sadly passed away from her injuries, WDSU is reporting.
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Conditions for Bond Release
Chad Bridges, who is 36 years old, now has some strict rules if he is released on bail. He must wear an ankle monitor that tracks his location. He is also set to have a curfew, meaning he cannot be out from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Bridges is also not allowed to own any pets and cannot have contact with his neighbors.
These conditions are in place to ensure that the community remains safe while the legal case continues.
Evidence and Reactions
During the court hearing, prosecutors showed videos of Bridges with his dogs. They revealed clips dating from 2015 to 2024 showing him running with dogs that were not on leashes. The videos showed dogs barking and growling at a fence. They also captured Bridges telling the dogs to “get them” and pushing them out of their kennels.
John Fuller, Bridges’ attorney, defended his client.
“Any suggestion that those videos were images of him teaching dogs to attack humans is 100 percent disingenuous,” stated Fuller. After the court hearing, Fuller explained that the videos did not accurately represent Bridges.
“He’s extremely remorseful. When I went to go visit him Saturday in jail, he was crying,” said Fuller. This shows that Bridges is feeling the weight of the tragedy that has occurred.
The Aftermath of the Attack
After the attack, it was discovered that a piece of Bridges’ fence was broken where his yard connected to Stewart’s yard. The responding officer noted that there was a piece of plywood placed on Stewart’s side of the fence. This could easily be moved, allowing the dogs to enter her yard.
Fuller agreed with statements from a detective that the dogs were able to force their way through the damaged fence. A neighbor named Kelli Wilkerson shared her frustrations.
“These are all the measures I have to go through to keep the dogs out, and even right here, what have they done,” said Wilkerson.
Calls for Accountability
The family’s attorney, Broussard, said this awful event could have been prevented. They are calling for full accountability for the tragedy.
“We anticipate civil liability, and we’re not going to jump to any conclusion, but we’re not leaving any stone unturned,” he said.
During the court hearing, the attack dogs were identified as pit bulls with the names Sadie, Rocky, and Potato. Sadly, one of the dogs has already been euthanized, while the others are being held by the Louisiana SPCA. One of those dogs was surrendered by Bridges with a request for euthanasia.
The other two dogs are on a 10-day quarantine due to the attack. Bridges has received citations for two counts of having a dangerous dog and two counts for failing to confine his dogs properly.
Upcoming Court Dates
There is a court date set for early April. The judge will determine if the charges against Bridges are appropriate. They will also discuss any possible fines and additional charges related to the two remaining dogs.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams issued a statement about the situation.
“We were seeking to hold the defendant without bond in accordance with LA CCRP Article 313(B) based on the position that he represents an immediate danger to the community,” Williams said. He emphasized that “this death was avoidable and foreseeable.”
Conclusion
The tragic incident involving Chad Bridges’ dogs and the death of Barbara Stewart raises serious questions about dog ownership and responsibility. As the legal process continues, it is crucial to address how to prevent such incidents in the future. The community is looking for answers and justice.
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