Woman Says Dog on Loose Killed Family Pet

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC -- Joe the chihuahua mix was only a year old when he was killed last week. His owner, Jackie Soules, said a chow mix on the loose attacked him in front of her 14-year-old son.

"My son started screaming to come outside Joe was hurt and he was laying in the flower bed," said Soules.

Poor little Joe didn't stand a chance

"We started down the road to the emergency vet and got two miles down the road and he didn't make it."

Soules says she and her husband spoke with animal control.

"The response we got was to pen the dog up we'll come get it tomorrow," said Soules. "Why would I have to pen it up if it's rabid, if it's aggressive? I don't know this dog. I don't know what it's gonna do."

Soules said they were able to contain one of the dogs. She said animal control picked it up the next day.

Soules said trapping the dogs isn't her job.

We took her concerns to the head of Spartanburg County's Environmental Enforcement Office, Jamie Nelson.

When we asked Nelson why animal control asks citizens to try to trap the animals themselves when it could be a dangerous situation he replies, "The first thing the officers do is they ask the individual if they feel comfortable with doing that because the normal individual is going to let them know real quick whether they feel comfortable doing it or not."

Another concern: Why didn't animal control didn't immediately come to their home?

"The main reason why she did not respond is she spoke with the individual and the threat had left the property," said Nelson.

Trying to justify why Animal Control did not
respond to an aggressive, attacking dog

Soules said her husband shot and killed the other dog when it returned a few days later and tried to attack their two other dogs in their backyard.

We asked Nelson if Soules' husband was justified in shooting the dog and he replied, "As long as as the dog was being a threat to him the day he shot him."

Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement says if you spot a vicious dog on the loose after normal business hours call 911 and ask for the animal control officer on duty.

Spartanburg County leash law requires the following:

-All animals must be on a leash, or under restraint, at all times when not on the property of the owner.
-Animals are not allowed on any ones property without the property owner's consent.
-Animal owners are liable for their pet's actions. Violation of the county's leash law can result in a fine of $200 dollars plus court cost and cost for impounding the animal.

(WSPA - June 21, 2011)