Hearing for Dog in Deadly Attack

S A N   F R A N C I S C O, Feb. 13 -- The owners of the dog involved in a deadly attack on a San Francisco woman say they have no hope their dog will be returned after a hearing on the animal's fate today.

Robert Noel and Marjorie Knoller sat in the front row inthe room where the fate of their dog Hera was discussed today.

Noel and Knoller said even if they get Hera back, they would notreturn to live in the apartment building where Diane Whipple waskilled.

The couple's other dog, Bane, was put to sleep after maulingWhipple last month. Bane is considered the primary aggressor,though police say Hera participated in the attack by tearing atWhipple's clothes.

The couple had said they would bring as many as 40 witnesses totoday's hearing, but three rows of seats reserved for witnesseswere virtually empty shortly before the hearing.

A decision is expected to be rendered within the next twoweeks.