Atlanta

Owner of dogs involved in deadly attack out of jail

ATLANTA — A judge has reduced the charges from felony to misdemeanor manslaughter for the man who owned the dogs that attacked two children, killing one.

Cameron Tucker has been charged with misdemeanor manslaughter in the death of 6-year-old Logan Braatz. Syrai Sanders, 5, was seriously injured in the attack on Cerro Street in southwest Atlanta on Jan. 18.

Logan’s family was in court Wednesday as the Fulton County judge changed the bond, so Tucker can get out of jail just by signing for the $70,000 bail.

He bonded out of jail Thursday morning.


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The family hopes the prosecutor will keep looking for evidence to bring a felony charge.

“If he determines that a felony charge is warranted, we think that will happen, then he has the right in the next couple of months to bring the necessary indictments to the grand jury for them to decide,” Braatz family attorney Joshua Stein said.

The prosecutor called an officer who found one of the bloodied dogs on a porch.

"The dog began to leave the porch,” David Duncan said. “We still were waiting for Animal Control to come and restrain the dog. The dog was moving towards myself; out of fear for my safety and the safety of those around me, I shot the dog."

The prosecutor also called an Atlanta homicide detective who said Tucker’s chain link fence only came up to his thigh and another officer noticed some defects.

“He did mention he saw maybe a few holes in the fence,” Detective Andre Lowe said.

Shamonte Clayton, the man who found Logan’s body said he’s seen the dogs roaming the neighborhood at least four other times.

Despite the testimony, the judge sided with the defense and lowered the charge.

“She paid attention to the evidence that was presented today, and she was very fair in her ruling,” defense attorney Danielle Roberts said.

Tucker also faces a misdemeanor reckless conduct charge.

Following his release from jail, he must stay away from the victims' families, have no weapons in his home and have no pets.

The case will now move to Superior Court.