Dogs accused in deaths of dog, cat, police say

IOWA -- Officials are searching for a pit bull that has been accused of killing a Yorkie near Drake University in Des Moines on Sunday.

Animal control investigated a report of a dog attacking another dog near 29th Street and Rutland Avenue in Des Moines on Sunday afternoon.

A woman told the officer that she was taking her two dogs – a dachshund and a Yorkshire terrier – outside in her apartment yard without leashes when a little girl approached them.

The woman picked up the dachshund and was about to pick up the terrier when a white pit bull ran over and attacked the Yorkie. The pit bull was not on a leash, the woman said.

A man in his late 20s or early 30s with blond thinning hair grabbed the pit bull, the woman said. She said the man asked if her dog was OK while he walked away with the pit bull and little girl.

The Yorkie's face and chest were injured. The dog's owner took it to a veterinary clinic, where it had to be euthanized, a police report said.

Authorities were still looking for the alleged attacking dog and its owner Wednesday afternoon

Another dog, an American bulldog, attacked and killed a cat in the 1000 block of 28th Street on Sunday, officials said. The bulldog's owner reported the attack, and officials are still investigating to determine if the owner will be cited.

According to city code, dogs must be restrained by a fence, leash, cord or some other restraint. Cats are free to roam, but they must be up to date on their rabies shots and spayed or neutered and wear their appropriate tags.

Owners must also notify authorities if their animals bite domestic animals or people, according to the Des Moines city code.

(DesMoinesRegister.com - Sept 3, 2014)