Ex-Ironton man gets probation in dog mauling

A 53-year-old former Ironton man convicted of felony second-degree attempted manslaughter after his dogs mauled another man in 2005 was sentenced earlier this month to supervised probation and ordered to not own dogs.

Randy Caouette of Clearwater and formerly of Ironton had been charged with felony first-degree assault, felony second-degree assault, felony second-degree attempted manslaughter and misdemeanor harm caused by a dog following a June 23, 2005, incident in which two of Caouette's pit bull terriers attacked David Deziel while Deziel was walking near his home near Deerwood.

Caouette was convicted Dec. 1 of felony second-degree attempted manslaughter. All other charges were dismissed. He was sentenced to five years supervised probation and fined $50.

Other conditions of his sentence include that he not own or live with dogs.

Deziel suffered severe injuries in the attack and was rescued by Teresa Catlin, who was passing by in her vehicle and called 91. She fought the dogs off with a flashlight.

Deziel suffered massive injuries from his head to his ankles as a result of the attack and spent 16 days at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis before returning home to recover.

MATT ERICKSON can be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.