Mother on Pit Bull attack: "I forgive them, but I can't forget"

By Jena Johnson - bio | email
Posted by Elizabeth Thomas – email

RUSK COUNTY, TX (KLTV) – Criminal charges have been dropped in the Rusk County fatal Pit Bull attack.

Nearly two years ago, 10-year-old Justin Clinton was mauled to death by his friend's two Pit Bulls.

In every corner of the Clinton's home, there's a reminder of Justin--pictures on the fridge and silk flowers he bought for his mom.

"He's so much still part of this house," says his Mom.

Serenia Clinton says remembering her son's passion for life gets her through her toughest days.

"He loved baseball, he loved all things outdoors," Serenia recalled.

Justin was outside on his skateboard when he was mauled to death by his friend's two Pit Bulls.

Last week, the Rusk County District Attorney dropped the criminal charges against the dog's owners.

Ironically, Clinton says this brings her family closure.

"It'll make it easier on me too, because I won't have to sit through that whole trial again. Because that was really tough," explains Clinton.

It's been nearly two years since the fatal attack happened. The families live about a mile apart, and they haven't spoken, until now.

The dog's owner, Christie George says the attack destroyed both families.

George says it took her a long time to find the right words, "We just told her we were sorry. I mean they were my dogs. What can you say? They took a life--a child's life. Yeah it's hard. We'll carry it with us for the rest of our lives."

Clinton says her son would have wanted the two families to get together and do something about the breed.

Now, both mothers say they're trying to move forward. For Clinton, its letting go of the anger, "I forgive them, but I can't forget. It will always be in my mind."

"We would have never predicted what happened here that day here," Clinton stated. "Never in a million years."

A few months ago, the Clinton's won a civil suit amounting to $7 million.

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