American Bulldog mauls and kills Papillon; goes back home with its owner

OREGON -- Dogs are lovingly called “man’s best friend,” but they’re not always friendly to other animals.

Tuesday’s fatal attack by an American bulldog on a Papillon at Pine Nursery Community Park in northeast Bend shocked onlookers, but Deschutes County Sheriff’s Lt. Bryan Husband says fatal dog attacks aren’t uncommon.

“We get calls and reply to dog control problems all the time,” Husband said. “The calls are most often for dogs at large, dogs chasing livestock or fighting.”

Husband said it’s a regular occurrence for a dog to kill another animal, though the deaths are usually chickens, rabbits or sheep, not other dogs.

He said the Sheriff’s Office hasn’t responded to a call for service at Pine Nursery in at least the last three or four months.

Signs posted at the entrances to the off-leash area prohibit aggressive dogs.

The American bulldog responsible for killing the Papillon has no prior reports of violence or misbehavior with the Sheriff’s Office, Husband said.

[This is what elicits a "surprised owner" tag. I'm picturing the owner saying something like, "He's never done anything like this before!"]

The owner of the American bulldog, Tia Steria, was not in the immediate area when her dog attacked the much smaller dog.

Steria, who could not be reached for comment, received citations for having a nuisance dog and having a dog at large, Husband said. Each ticket was written for $435.

Husband said it is up to Steria whether to put her dog down as a result of Tuesday’s attack.

“We don’t have the authority in cases like this to seize the dog,” he said. “When the attack is dog-on-dog, we can’t do it. If the dog attacks livestock, we can.”

Steria, however, could face civil litigation if the Papillon's owner decides to sue for damages, Husband said.

Police did not release the name of the Papillon's owner.

(Bend Bulletin - April 17, 2014)