School Leader Charged With Dog Fighting, Cruelty

PALMDALE (AP) — The assistant superintendent of a Southern California school district is facing felony dog fighting charges after more than a dozen pit bulls being kept in crates filled with urine and feces were allegedly discovered in her home.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that 52-year-old Pauline Ruth Winbush and her boyfriend, Kevin Ray Williams, have been charged with multiple counts of dog fighting and animal cruelty, as well as one count of child abuse.

Winbush pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Winbush works at Palmdale Unified School District. The district did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Animal control officers discovered a horse allegedly belonging to the couple roaming the streets on Oct. 29. Prosecutors say 19 pit bulls were later discovered in their Antelope Acres home. All were euthanized.