Owner of pit bulls faces domestic abuse charges

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — Sioux Falls police say an owner of two pit bulls that mauled a man has been arrested but not for the attack.

According to media reports, James Joseph Lanpher faces an aggravated assault-domestic charge stemming from an incident with his girlfriend on Sunday morning.

Lt. Jerome Miller says Lanpher let two pit bulls — one belonging to his girlfriend — outside without a leash. About two hours later, police were called to the scene of a pit bull attack. Authorities say a 34-year-old man was transported to a hospital with numerous injuries after he was mauled by the two dogs. The injuries were not life-threatening.

A message left at a phone listing for Lanpher was not immediately returned.

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