Donora woman accused of using pitbull in assault
Donora police arrested a woman Sunday after she was accused of commanding the family dog to attack her daughter.
Danielle Lynn Payne, 45, of Donora, faces a felony charge of aggravated assault, and misdemeanors of simple assault, reckless endangerment, obstruction, resisting arrest, harassment and ethnic intimidation.
According to the criminal complaint, at about 6 a.m. Sunday police were called to Payne’s home in the 700 block of Norman Street.
Cheeka Brown, Payne’s daughter, told police that during an argument Payne gave verbal commands to a pitbull, leading the dog to bite Brown’s arm. The dog also bit the hand of Brown’s younger brother.
Charging documents accuse Payne of refusing to give her name to police, and resisting as an officer attempted to take her into custody.
According to the complaint, Payne made racist comments toward the arresting officer.
Payne was arraigned Sunday afternoon by District Judge James Saieva, who sent her to the Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Jan. 7.