Argument over dogs escalates violently

SOUTH SALT LAKE — An argument over two dogs not being on leashes turned into a fist fight Tuesday and ended with the arrest of a woman after police say she ordered her animals to attack.

About 9 p.m., two women were outside in the area of 3050 South and 350 East, both with dogs, said South Salt Lake police detective Gary Keller. One woman had pit bulls that were not leashed, he said.

When one of the pit bulls went after one of the other woman's dogs, that woman started arguing with the pit bull owner about not keeping her dogs on leashes, Keller said. The verbal confrontation escalated, however, and soon turned into a physical altercation.

When the pit bull owner found herself losing the fight, she ordered her dogs to attack the other woman, Keller said.

The dogs bit the woman, 25, on the hip and back of her leg. During that time, the boyfriend of the pit bull owner jumped into the fight, striking the victim with a metal bed post, he said.

The fight was broken up by the time police arrived. Ashlei Rebelloso and Lawrence Rich, both 20, were booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated assault.

The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries but was not transported to the hospital.

— Pat Reavy