UPDATE: The dogs have been deemed dangerous, according to an Isle of Wight judge. This means Fulmore will be able to keep the animals, but she must comply with the state's dangerous dog registry. The ruling was made on Thursday afternoon.
Isle of Wight County, Va. - Later today, a judge in Isle of Wight County is expected to make a ruling on whether three dogs that attacked and killed another dog are in fact dangerous.
The three dogs were removed from the family's home last week and have been in the custody of Animal Control.
Today - the judge is expected to announce whether these dogs should be euthanized or can return home.
Celine Fulmore's dogs are accused of viciously attacking and killing 10-year-old Jessica Coffield's dog "Shadow" last month.
A judge will decide if the dogs are vicious or dangerous - if he deems the three dogs vicious, then they will be euthanized.
If he deems the dogs dangerous - Fulmore will be able to keep the animals, but she must comply with the state's dangerous dog registry.
Fulmore says it was an unfortunate accident and wants her dogs back at home.
"You've been to my home, you know my dogs are not mean and vicious. My heart goes out to them, I'd rather it have been me than their dog."
An Isle of Wight judge ordered Animal Control to remove the dogs last week until he hands down his ruling, which is expected today.
The judge will decide if the dogs are vicious or dangerous.
If he deems the dogs vicious, then the black lab mix, a larger brown mix, and pitbull mix will be euthanized.
"I want to say that anybody that knows my animals knows there's nothing mean about my animals."
In court last week, the county attorney showed pictures to the judge of Shadow after the attack.
A witness testified that she tried to fight Fulmore's three dogs off Shadow.
She tells NewsChannel 3 she doesn't want to see the dogs put down, but kept confined to their owner's property.
Still - the Fulmore family believes it was just an unfortunate accident, and their dogs should not be punished to death.
"To railroad my animals and to do what they're doing for no reason, is not right, it's not fair."
A NewsChannel 3 crew will be in the Isle of Wight courtroom for this hearing which is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
We will continue to follow this case and bring you the judge's decision on NewsChannel 3 First at Four.
