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Dog attack accused appears in Didsbury court

A Sundre woman charged after a 26-year-old Calgary woman was attacked and severely injured by two pit bulls in a Sundre trailer park three weeks ago made her first appearance in Didsbury provincial court on Monday.

A Sundre woman charged after a 26-year-old Calgary woman was attacked and severely injured by two pit bulls in a Sundre trailer park three weeks ago made her first appearance in Didsbury provincial court on Monday.

Rita Phillip, 57, faces two counts of aggravated assault. She appeared via closed circuit TV, where she made a request for her bail conditions to be altered.

However, a publication ban put in place when Phillip was denied bail on Aug. 29 prohibits reporting on any details of her bail, including any comments made in court on Monday.

During her brief appearance on Monday, Phillip was wearing a standard prisoner jumpsuit. She appeared alert and attentive to the court proceedings.

Judge M. Graham put all matters over until Sept. 17, when Phillip will be back in court for election and plea.

A 26-year-old Calgary woman was flown by STARS to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary with life-threatening injuries after being found unconscious inside a trailer in the Sundre Mobile Estates park shortly after 2 a.m. on Aug. 18.

Her condition was later upgraded to serious, and she remains in hospital this week.

Police say the victim, who was visiting the residence, was attacked by two male pit bulls owned by the accused. The victim suffered head, facial and arm injuries.

One of the pit bulls was shot and killed by an RCMP officer at the scene. The dog's remains are being tested for rabies by the Canada Food Inspection Agency.

The second dog remains in quarantine pending testing and a possible dangerous dog hearing.

Phillip has been in custody since being arrested at a Calgary casino several days after the attack.

Each of the charges Phillip is facing carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.


Dan Singleton

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