Man charged in dog attack appears in justice court

The Pahrump man charged with keeping pit bull dogs that attacked a local elderly man appeared in court on Wednesday.

Ricky Davidson, dressed in the standard orange and white jail jumpsuit, stood motionless and said very little when Judge Ron Kent read the charges aloud.

During the proceeding, prosecutor Daniel Young said Davidson had several previous encounters with local law enforcement regarding the pit bull dogs he owns. Aside from his recent arrest, Davidson was cited in February of 2013 for allowing the dogs to run loose.

He was cited again on Aug. 19, 2014 when police said the dogs attacked another animal.

An additional citation was given to Davidson on Sept. 1, 2014 when his dogs were running loose again.

“He has two other cases that are animal related that need to be arraigned on today,” Young said. “Animals running at large, times three counts also, permitting an animal to attack another animal. Based on the new arrest and probable cause, the state asks the judge to revoke any release he has and set bail appropriately on those cases.”

Aside from the animal charges he’s facing, Davidson had been previously released from jail on his own recognizance for drug charges.

Kent summarily revoked the defendant’s release and set bail at $5,000 bond or $499 cash for the drug charges.

On the three counts of animals running at large, and permitting an animal to attack another person, Kent also revoked Davidson’s release and set bail at $2,540 bond, or $250 cash.

Kent told Davidson that all of the cases will bundled together for the defendant’s pre-trial appearance scheduled for next week.

Included will be a traffic citation dating back to Oct. 10, 2013, when Davidson was pulled over for speeding and not possessing a driver’s license.

Kent appointed Lisa Chamlee to serve as Davidson’s public defender.

Davidson, 40, was arrested Friday March 13, after his dogs attacked a neighbor while feeding cats at a property along Black Street.

Police said the three pit bulls jumped over a six-foot fence and started brutally attacking the man, according to police. Davidson is a tenant on the property, and lives in one of two residences on the site.

While under attack, the man’s two friends came to his aid and were also attacked by the dogs. The onslaught continued even after one of the men shot two of the dogs.

The dogs were eventually scared off when Pahrump Valley Fire and Rescue crews used sirens to scare the animals.

One of the victims remains in critical condition at University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

Davidson’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 25 at 1:30 p.m.