Helen Bednarski wasn't allowed to change her plea and may lose her dog.
By Times Staff Writer
Published January 11, 2004
PINELLAS PARK - A judge found a woman guilty of violating the city's vicious animal ordinance and city attorneys are seeking an order to remove her mixed-breed dog, Prone, because she is refusing to get rid of it.
On Sept. 3, Helen Bednarski's three dogs attacked a Pinellas Park letter carrier who was wounded in the head and leg. Pinellas County ordered that two of the dogs be destroyed but said there was not enough evidence to show that Prone had inflicted severe injury.
However, Pinellas Park officials charged Bednarski with violating their dangerous dog ordinance. Bednarski pleaded guilty and agreed to get rid of Prone.
On Friday, Bednarski tried to change her plea, saying city officials had coerced her into saying she was guilty. But a judge denied her request, city spokesman Tim Caddell said, and found her guilty of violating the ordinance.
The judge also fined Bednarski, but Caddell was unclear on the amount of the fine.
