Two dogs euthanized after Damascus dog attack

ARKANSAS -- Two dogs were euthanized after a woman said they bit her four times in Damascus. Now, the city is looking into new dog licensing requirements.

The city has a leash law, which requires dogs to wear collars and be vaccinated. A proposed new license would help keep track of dogs in the city and hold people responsible for their animals.

Pam Hopkins started working as an Animal Control Officer in Van Buren County six years ago. She says it broke her heart to see these dogs act so aggressively.

"It was a terrible situation," said Hopkins.

Hopkins said the dogs acted in a pack with an obvious leader. She said the reason they didn't euthanize one of the dogs was because that dog did not bite anyone.

"She was just running along behind the rest of them," said Hopkins.

 

Hopkins said that dog was spayed and vaccinated.

Hopkins added, "That saved her life."

The other two male dogs were not fixed.

"Usually the more aggressive cases that we see are in animals that are not spayed or neutered," said Hopkins.

Damascus Police Chief Rick Perry said bottom line is that owners need to take care of their pets.

"When I make contact with the owner of the dogs he was remorseful," said Perry. "He did feel bad. You still have repercussions if you do not take care of your dog."

Perry says the owner will likely have to shell out thousands of dollars for court costs and for the victims' medical bills.

"You will be responsible for any damages or injuries that might inflict upon somebody," said Perry.

  

  

Hopkins stresses a wagging tail does not mean a friendly dog. If a dog comes after you, try to position something between you like an open umbrella or briefcase. Hopkins says sometimes even the sound of opening an umbrella will get a dog to back off. But if it does get a hold of you, Hopkins says do not pull away, instead push into its throat.

"That will usually get them to loosen their grip," said Hopkins.

 

These dogs were a cross between a lab and a boxer.

"It could just be a product of irresponsible owners, who do not socialize their dogs properly," said Hopkins. "Who do not have their dogs spayed or neutered."

Police charged the owner of the dogs with unlawful dog attack and cited them for violating the animal control ordinance.

(THV 11 - Oct 21, 2014)