Dog owners need to face consequences in Faribault attack

MINNESOTA -- It’s not enough that the dogs were euthanized.
 
Two Rottweilers, on the loose Saturday morning, were allegedly unprovoked when they attacked two adults and a teenager on the 1000 block of First Avenue. Two of the victims were treated and released at a local hospital, another was transported to the Twin Cities for further treatment.

All are lucky that more serious injuries didn’t happen. That was courtesy of a Faribault Police officer who shot one of the dogs — several times — as it was charging him.

Had that officer not been on hand, the outcome could’ve been much worse.

Both the animals were put down because they were not current on their vaccinations. It is this fact — that they were euthanized — that seems to make the difference between whether the dogs’ owner faces any repercussions for the attacks, according to the Faribault Police Department.

Police Chief Andy Bohlen said in a Daily News story that he is speaking to the city attorney about a possible citation but wasn’t sure what that would achieve.

We believe citing the owners would potentially prevent the situation from repeating itself, and send a strong message to its owners.

Rottweilers have the unfortunate reputation of being prone to violence. But that’s not true. It is the owner that determines the demeanor of an animal regardless of its breed. There are kind, gentle and loving rottweilers and there are terriers that would take a chunk out of your ankle, given the opportunity.

It is the owner, not the animal that needs a strong message delivered. The message should be this: Raise a vicious dog in Faribault and pay the price if you cannot control your animal.

From the number of previous complaints the FPD had received before this incident, it was already clear these dogs were a problem. Consider the fact that neighbors told the Daily News they feared having cookouts in their backyard, as the dogs would attempt even then to get to them. It’s a distinct possibility that two more Rottweilers, perhaps just as vicious, will take the place of the ones that were put down.

A citation might give these owners pause before they decide to buy and train any more animals that they can’t control. A citation is what they deserve.

(Southernminn.com - Mar 3, 2015)

Earlier:

• Rottweilers attack teenager and two adult males in Faribault