The controversy is far from over, though, because questions still remain as to if the owner actually turned the dogs over.
The dog bit a 5-year-old neighbor boy recently and that boy lost a large part of his right leg in the attack. The boy also had to get a pair of rabies shots.
The description of the dog -- a grey and white pit bull -- loosely fits the same dog that has now bitten four people. That description is causing some confusion as to whether the dog that bit the boy is the same one who was turned over to animal control officials.
Figuring out the conundrum is Cowlitz County Animal Control Officer Mike Nicholson. He sees several pit bulls while he works. Some have to be kenneled away from the general population, which is the case of Lexi, the pregnant dog at the center of the controversy.
In late-August, the owner of the dog was asked why she would not give the dog to animal control so it could be tested for rabies. One man who was bitten by Lexi in April was asked if this was the correct dog. The man was adamant that the dog that bit him and Lexi were different dogs. A dozen neighbors were in agreement, as well.
One reason why people are so sure that Lexi is not the dog that bit the boy was because of her timid nature. Neighbors said the real dog definitely would have attacked. Now neighbors are trying to find out who this dog really belongs to.
"She tried to make us think this is the right dog," Nicholson said, referring to the dog's owner Kim Vasquez. "From my documentation that I have from my prior visit in April, this is not the dog."
But where's the real Lexi?
"I gave the dog to them to prove she didn't have rabies," Vasquez said, referring to animal control officials. "I'm complying with all of the laws. I'm getting insurance. I've gotten a kennel."
Vasquez and her son Nicholas showed pictures of a grey and white pit bull, reiterating that it's the same one at animal control and that it is, in fact, Lexi.
Nicholson said he's not going to give up until the right dog is in possession of animal control and he's got some backup. The Cowlitz County prosecutor's office now has reports that recommend Vasquez be charged with forging rabies records for the pit bull.
Vasquez has served time in prison for forgery and said she does not want to return to prison.
(KATU - Sept 12, 2012)
Earlier:
