Rita Phillip should get 7 years for pit bull attack on friend, says Crown
'What she did was pretty much take my life,' says victim Deanna Wolfe
There is a significant discrepancy between the sentences proposed today by the prosecution and defence for a Sundre woman who ordered her pit bulls to attack a friend.
Rita Phillip was found guilty last June of aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm.
Her victim, Deanna Wolfe, almost died in August 2012 after the attack.
Wolfe had been staying with Phillip in her Sundre mobile home. The pair were arguing when Phillip order her dogs to attack Wolfe.
When officers arrived at the scene, Wolfe was so badly injured they believed she was dead.
Wolfe's ear was severed in the attack and she is left with permanent injuries. She says she has had 14 surgeries already, with nine more planned to reconstruct her ear.
Crown prosecutor Britta Kristensen proposed a seven-year prison sentence with about 18 months credit for pre-trial time in custody.
"It appears Ms. Phillip hit a boiling point and commanded this attack," said Kristensen, who called it "unprovoked and senseless."
Defence asks for probation
Phillip's lawyer has asked for time-served plus probation.
Wolfe said after the hearing that she would like to see Phillip get as much time as possible.
"What she did was pretty much take my life," said Wolfe of the lasting injuries, pain and disabilities.
No longer able to work because of her physical injuries, Wolfe says she also suffers from PTSD.
Phillip addressed the court this morning, saying she was sorry for what happened. Wolfe says she doesn't accept Phillip's apology.
Phillip's lawyer Luke Faught argued the judge should consider Phillip's long history of having no contact with the justice system.
"She led a blameless life for more than 50 years," said Faught.
The judge will deliver the sentence on Friday at 1 p.m.