Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Eight calls to police about Akitas prior to attack on elderly dog

Saline Township woman faces charges after dogs wander away from home, attack other dog

MICHIGAN -- A 22-year-old Saline Township woman faces two misdemeanor crimes for allegedly allowing two Akita dogs to stray off their leashes and attack another dog, according to police.

Washtenaw County prosecutors authorized a two-count misdemeanor warrant against the woman last week, according to a Saline police report. The charges stem from an incident on the morning of Oct. 27 in the 300 block of Arlington Drive.

According to the police report, two Akita dogs attacked a 13-year-old Springer Spaniel - Labrador mix in the garage of the home. The 13-year-old dog's owners were in the home and heard a commotion. After discovering the attack, the dog’s owners were able to drive the Akitas away, according to the report.

After calling police, the owners told investigators they wanted something to be done about the two Akitas, which are well-known for roaming around the area. The police report stated there were at least eight other police reports involving the two dogs wandering away from their home in the 8000 block of Macon Road. Ownership of the dogs was transferred to the woman from a man she lives with, according to the report.

Police responded to the 22-year-old woman’s home and found her in her car. She told police she had been looking for the dogs but needed to stop because she was late for work. The Akitas eventually returned to their home, where police impounded them and turned them over to the Humane Society.

The 13-year-old dog suffered three severe puncture wounds on its neck and shoulder, according to the report.

On Nov. 13, prosecutors approved a warrant for two counts of allowing a dog to stray while not properly held on a leash, according to the police report. The woman faces a maximum of three months in jail and a $100 fine.

The woman’s name is not being released because AnnArbor.com could not confirm she’s been arraigned on the charges as of Monday afternoon.

(AnnArbor.com - Nov 19, 2012)