Father pleads not guilty in fatal dog attack
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

BATH - The father of a 6-year-old boy who was killed by the family's pit bull pleaded not guilty Monday to a Class A misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

William D. Abbott, 33, of East William Street Extension, Bath, appeared before Bath village Justice James Burns with his attorney, Steuben County Public Defender David Coddington. Abbott was silent as Coddington entered the plea and asked that the case be placed on a 45-day motion trial.

Coddington later told reporters the 45-day period would be used to clarify several details of the case. "At this point, all I have is very little information," he said.

Abbott's son, Saben Jones-Abbott, reportedly was feeding the family's six- to eight-month old pit bull July 29 when the dog attacked him. His father found him unresponsive, and the boy was transported to Ira Davenport Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The pit bull was subsequently destroyed at the family's request.

Authorities charged Abbott with child endangerment following a 10- day investigation by Steuben County Sheriff's deputies, county Coroner Steven Copp and Animal Cruelty Officer Scott Mazzo. District Attorney John Tunney called Jones-Abbott's death "an eminently preventable accident."

According to investigators, the county Department of Social Services had warned Abbott previously the pit bull was a dangerous risk to his child, who also required greater supervision.

Abbott has been free since the charge was filed, released on his own recognizance by village court. If convicted of the child endangerment charge he faces a fine, probation or up to one year in jail.