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Dog Attack Leads To Prison For Owner

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) - A central Illinois teenager has been sentenced to five years in prison for ordering his pitbull terrier to attack a 75-year-old man.

Matthew Brandt of Blue Mound was sentenced Tuesday in Decatur after pleading guilty last month to aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. Blue Mound is about 10 miles southwest of Decatur.

Arthur B. Gilson of Blue Mound testified he was attacked by the dog as he walked down a street in the small town on Aug. 1. A neighbor yelled at the dog and it stopped the attack as the 17-year-old Brandt looked on from his porch. Wilson's left hand required stitches.

A member of Brandt's family told police the dog wouldn't have attacked if Brandt had not ordered it to. The dog was euthanized.

© 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

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