Ormond animal control officer's dogs euthanized for killing cat
FLORIDA -- Two dogs belonging to an Ormond Beach community services officer — which includes animal control duties — were euthanized this week after the canines killed a cat and attacked a man in his driveway, a police report shows.The attacks occurred on Nov. 16 after two pit bull mixes belonging to Shannon Champion were running loose in the Hidden Hills community off Granada Boulevard, the report states.
The dogs — a 7-year-old named Lady and a 4-year-old named Ryder — were put to sleep Tuesday afternoon because Champion thought their behavior was unpredictable, the report shows.
 |
| Animal Control Officer Shannon Champion |
"They were running toward me. I looked at them and they looked at me," Bainter said Wednesday. "One of them was in the air coming toward my face.
"I was scared," Bainter said.
At that point, Bainter said he grabbed a stick that was on his porch. He said he struck the dogs and they ran off. Bainter called police and as he spoke to Community Service Officer Justin Soard, a woman drove up in front of his residence. The woman told Soard that two dogs fitting the same description as the animals who jumped at Bainter had attacked her Siamese cat, the report states.
As the woman explained what was happening, Bainter said Champion arrived at his house.
Both officers then went to the residence where the cat was mauled.
Mark Andrews told police that he witnessed the feline — named Sebastian — getting tossed around "like a rag doll," by the two dogs, the report shows.
Andrews said the cat was outside when Champion's dogs approached. Andrews said his own two dogs were inside and they began barking wildly.
"I went to see what was happening and I saw them (Champion's dogs) shredding my cat," Andrews said. "The two pit bulls came in my yard and ate my cat."
According to the report, Soard and Champion went looking for the dogs after the cat was hurt. Soard said he and Champion spotted the animals running near Heritage Circle and Hidden Hills Boulevard.
Champion said the dogs were hers and she took them back to her nearby residence on Nightingale Lane, the report says.
Reached at her office at Ormond Beach police headquarters Wednesday, Champion declined comment, deferring questions to police spokesman Lt. Kenny Hayes.
Hayes said Champion will not be cited for the dog attack because she chose to euthanize the two canines. The reason for a citation is to compel animal owners to comply with the city's running at large or dangerous dog ordinances.
"In the case where the dogs are euthanized, there is no further threat of a violation and therefore no need for enforcement," Hayes wrote in an email.
[No, no, no. Even if they surrender the dogs to be put down, you cite them on principle. You want something on record with the court system that this person owned this dog that did this horrible thing. They can be held more accountable when they go out and get another dog and this new dog does the same thing. They shouldn't be allowed to simply hand over the dog and wash their hands of the 'unpleasant' matter.]
The day after the attack, Andrews said Champion came to his home and told him the dogs belonged to her husband. Champion's husband, Vince Champion, is a former Ormond Beach policeman. He is now president of the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association, a union that represents police officers in Volusia and Flagler counties.
Andrews says he hopes Champion will pay the veterinarian bills for his cat.
(Daytona Beach News-Journal - Nov 21, 2012)
