Saturday, November 26, 2011

Court upholds decision to euthanize family's pit bulls

NORTH CAROLINA -- New Hanover County Dog Court is back in session. Today, the court heard a case we told you about last week.

As you saw ONLY ON 3 A family's dog was attacked and killed by two pit bulls in its own backyard.

John Tooker gives excuses for his killer pit bulls

Today the Romanos and the Tookers met again in Dog Court to find out what will happen with the Tookers' two pit bulls.

Neighbors of the Tooker and Romano families filled the room thursday to testify to what they know about the Tookers' two pitbulls, Z.J. and Zeus. Most agreed that the two dogs were aggressive and a threat to the community.

"We're all fearful when we walk down the street, because we don't know if those dogs are gonna come out," Melanie Romano said.

At least one of the pit bulls attacked and killed Romano's Jack Russell terrier Lucy. She says this is not the first time the dogs have shown aggression in the neighborhood. She feels the owners have let their own dogs down.

"They knew of the numerous attacks," Romano said. "They didn't care about the rest of the public or care about their dogs enough to protect their dogs and keep them on their own property."

John Tooker did not want to speak with us on camera, but he told the board that his son accidentally let out the dog that killed Lucy out of the house. His dogs had previously been cited as dangerous because of other incidents in the neighborhood.

The Dog Court board ultimately decided to uphold the decision to euthanize both dogs because of the multiple issues.

RIP Lucy

"To hear the board look at pictures of Lucy and say no dog should have to die that way, it's awful," Romano said.

Romano says she feels like her family now has some justice for the the loss of their dog, but she hopes stronger regulations will be put into place for dangerous dog owners.

Tooker told neighbors he plans to appeal the board's decision in superior court. We will stay on top of this story and let you know what happens.

(WWAY - Nov 17, 2011)

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