Video: Mother, son plead guilty in pit bull mauling

Larger screen

TACOMA, Wash. – The owners of two pit bulls that mauled a woman inside her Gig Harbor home last summer will be on house arrest for a month and can't own a dog again for four years.

Shellie Rae Wilson, 46, and her 20-year-old son Zachary J. Martin both pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of "being an owner of a dog that attacks" – a relatively new charge. They admitted they knew their two pit bulls were dangerous before they stormed into Sue Gorman's home August 21, 2007.

The dogs killed Romeo, a Jack Russell terrier, and attacked Gorman as she was asleep. Gorman suffered serious injuries to her head and arms.

"I'd like to let the court, Miss Gorman and everyone affected by this know how sorry we are this happened. From the beginning, we have said we would take responsibility for what had happened," said Wilson.

"I'd just like to say how sorry I am for any physical and mental harm done to Sue Gorman and how much trouble it's caused her life. I want to move on and help her move along," said Martin.

Wilson and Martin had been cited before for owning dangerous dogs. In addition to the home detention and four years probation, they must also pay Gorman's medical bills, which Gorman says tops $50,000.

One of the pit bulls, Tank, has already been euthanized. The other, Betty, will also be put down.

Gorman was not in court Thursday. The prosecutor says she supports the plea agreement.