Trial begins for owner of dogs that mauled 8-year-old

The trial of a woman whose two pit bulls mauled an 8-year-old girl began on Wednesday.

In a DeKalb County courtroom, neighbors described how they frantically tried to get the dogs the girl.

The prosecution played the 911 call made by a neighbor.

Neighbor Lisa Vining can be heard on the 911 call after spending more than 10 minutes trying to get the dogs  to quit attacking 8-year-old Erin Ingram.

The girl’s screaming in the background of the call is so intense, one juror cried as she listened to the call.

”Oh my God, they’re still chewing her. They are still chewing her, Vining told the dispatcher.

The owner of the two dogs, Twyann Vaughn, also cried in court. She is charged with six misdemeanor counts, including reckless conduct and owning a vicious dog.

Erin was so badly injured her arm had to be amputated.

Neighbor Glenda Poythress testified about trying to get the dogs off the girl.

”There were two dogs, one on each side, mauling her, Poythress said.

The first officer on the scene, DeKalb County Police Sgt. R. Peeler, demonstrated how forcefully he used his baton on the dogs.

Peeler testified that using the baton multiple times never stopped the dogs from attacking Erin, so he had no choice but to finally fire his gun.

One of the dogs was killed, and the other ran off and was captured.

Defense attoey Gerald Griggs said the dogs broke out of their kennel when Vaughn wasn’t home.

”The evidence is going to show that this was an unfortunate accident. That’s what this is. It is not criminal negligence, Griggs said.

Erin’s sister, Nina Hudson, heard the attack and ran outside.

”They were biting her and there was blood everywhere, Hudson said.

The victim is also expected to testify.