Deanna Large, 36, posted $10,000 bond Wednesday and appeared before Circuit Court Judge William H. Ledbetter during a brief hearing today.

Large, making her first court appearance since being indicted by a grand jury last week, listened as the charges against her were formally read. She has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and three misdemeanor charges of allowing a dangerous dog to run loose.

The charges stem from the March 8 death of 82-year-old Dorothy Sullivan. She and her small dog, Buttons, were killed by three wandering pit bulls near Sullivan’s Partlow home.

All three dogs involved in the mauling have since been killed. Large admitted owning one of the dogs, but Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney William Neely has said the ensuing investigation revealed that she owned all three unneutered males and had been warned to keep them under better control.

Dressed in blue jeans and a gray V–neck sweater today, Large answered Ledbetter’s questions in a hushed tone.

The judge asked if Large was seeking an attorney to represent her.

“Yes sir,” she said.

Had she retained one yet?

“No, sir,” she said.

Did she post her $10,000 bond Wednesday?

“Yes sir,” she said.

Large declined comment after the hearing, and rushed to a pickup with a television camera in pursuit.

A trial date will be set when Large appears in court for her arraignment.

Involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum 10-year sentence. The misdemeanor charges each carry a one-year maximum.

To reach ROB DAVIS: 540/374-5418 rdavis@freelancestar.com