LARGO -- The family dog that repeatedly bit a 13-month-old boy will be euthanized, its owner said Wednesday. Diane Ryan said she will sign papers to have Rex, her pit bull mix, euthanized. Tuesday, the dog bit her grandson Gabriel Ryan-Leon on the back of the head and the leg. An official with Pinellas County Animal Services said the process would be painless and take seconds. "My grandson is more important to me than anything else," said Ryan, who watches Gabriel while her daughter works. Ryan said Gabriel, who received stitches at All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, is recovering and will be fine. Rex was playing with a chew toy, police said, when he bit Gabriel on the back of the head. As Ryan grabbed the toddler and tried to get away, Rex bit Gabriel again on the leg. Police said they do not know if the attack was provoked.

Driver sentenced in fatal crash

A 20-year-old New Port Richey man has been sentenced to prison for a drunken driving accident on U.S 19 in Hudson that killed a nurse traveling to her job at an assisted living facility in Tarpon Springs. Benjamin Lloyd Mercer had pleaded no contest to driving under the influence manslaughter. Circuit Judge W. Lowell Bray on Tuesday sentenced Mercer to 101/2 years in prison. He also must serve 41/2 years' probation, and his driving privileges were revoked for life. Prosecutors say Mercer had a blood-alcohol level more than three times the level at which a driver is presumed to be impaired. Mercer admitted drinking nine beers before the crash. Prosecutors say he also was using marijuana. Witnesses said Mercer was speeding and swerving across the southbound lanes of U.S. 19 on Oct. 5, 2001. At the intersection of Bonita Road, Mercer's Cadillac slammed into Judith Carlson's Kia. Carlson was dead at the scene. She was 59.

County animal shelter to offer half-price adoptions

LARGO -- Summer is the busiest season for Pinellas County Animal Services. Throughout the month of August the shelter will offer half-price adoptions on all pets. The $15 fee for dogs and cats includes vaccinations, spaying or neutering, county license and certificate, information on proper care, references for obedience classes and an adoption kit. A microchip implant is available for $10 at the time of adoption. For other types of pets, rabies vaccinations are $1 with the purchase of county tags. The shelter is at 12450 Ulmerton Road, Largo. Adoption hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. For information, call 582-2648.

Create a Florida-friendly yard

LARGO -- Creating a Florida-friendly yard is the topic of the annual EcoGarden Conference planned from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 3 in Auditorium A at the Pinellas County Extension, 12175 125th St. N. The agenda includes the ABC's of composting, utilizing native plants in the landscape, proper planting, and establishing landscape plants. There also will be a special program by the Frog Listening Network, which uses frogs as biological indicators for the health of the Hillsborough River Greenway system. Amphibians, such as frogs and toads, are very susceptible to environmental change and act as ecological barometers of the health of ecosystems. Advance registration for the lectures, demonstrations and lunch costs $15. Registration the day of the program begins at 8:15 a.m., costs $20 and is on a space available basis. Call (727) 582-2124 to register in advance.

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