Atlanta

Family: 'disbelief' dogs were involved in deadly attack

ATLANTA — The family of a man charged in a dog attack that killed one child and injured another is speaking out about the incident.

Cameron Tucker has been charged with reckless conduct and involuntary 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.

Defense attorney Danielle Roberts said Tucker's legal team will seek a reduction in his $70,000 bond at a hearing on Wednesday.

Tucker’s fiancée said she was shocked to find out that the dogs she had trusted for years were involved in an attack.

She said she had let the dogs cuddle with her baby, but is now having second thoughts about those actions.

“Tell me how much you trusted those two dogs?” Channel 2’s Mark Winne asked.

“With the safety of my child. With my family’s entire safety,” Tonya Harper said.

“You still trust those dogs?” Winne asked.

“Well, if I had any idea that those dogs were capable of anything, such as the possibility, then no, I would not have had those dogs,” Harper said.

RELATED STORIES:

Tucker’s mother said the dogs were like her babies and she is devastated for what the families are going through.

“I couldn’t imagine. I couldn’t imagine. I couldn’t imagine the pain,” Indira Boult said. “I pray for that family, both the families.”

Legal documents suggest Tucker allegedly failed to properly secure his two pit bulls at his home and dogs attacked two children who were walking to the bus stop.

“When he released them into the backyard, it was fenced in and he had no indication that those dogs would get out on the morning of this tragic accident,” Roberts said.

Harper said the dogs had gotten out once before, but they had reinforced the fence to make sure it wouldn't happen again.

“We care about this community. We care about the safety of the neighborhood,” she said.

Tucker’s attorney said he will plead not guilty to the charges.

“This is not a case where we have an irresponsible dog owner,” Roberts said.