Man who owned pit bull involved in attack arrested

The owner of a pit bull stabbed to death after it latched on to a man's arm is now behind bars.

Major Shannon Clark of Tulsa County Sheriff's Office tells KRMG deputies took Gary Brashears, 53, into custody at his residence on a complaint of animal at large.

Brashears also had 11 outstanding Tulsa County warrants.

"Mr. Brashears is the owner of the canine (pit bull) that attacked Jeremy Byrd in the 800 block of West Long Street in Sand Springs, Oklahoma on March 05, 2013 at 10:36 pm (2236 hours) leaving Mr. Byrd injured and the canine deceased. Tulsa County Sheriff’s Deputies specializing in animal control investigations attempted to question Mr. Brashears about the attack and about his canine being unrestrained when they determined that he had multiple outstanding warrants. Deputies believe this why Mr. Brashears has been evasive in this investigation and fled the scene the night of the incident as emergency vehicles began to arrive," Clark writes in an email to KRMG.

"Mr. Brashears will be processed into the Tulsa County Jail later this afternoon. Sheriff’s Deputies will continue the investigation to determine if additional charges may be presented against Mr. Brashears for maintaining a dangerous dog. The conclusion of the investigation will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office for evaluation."

Tulsa County jail  records spell his name as Brashier or Bashier.

His previous offenses include a slew of DUI, public intoxication, trespassing, larceny from retailer, and other petty crimes.