Animal control investigating dog-on-dog attack

MONTANA -- Butte-Silver Bow animal control is investigating a reported dog attack on Sampson Street in which two off-leash dogs allegedly attacked and seriously injured a small dog.

Tammy Kuenzel, the small-dog owner, said she was walking her two schnauzers on their leashes on Tuesday, May 26, when the incident occurred.

“The dogs were just charging, barreling down,” said Kuenzel, who had just turned south from Sampson Street onto Sanders when the two dogs attacked.

Estimating the mixed-breed, off-leash dogs at 75 pounds each, she added “they came out of nowhere” and jumped on her 15-pound dog.

“They were flinging her; nothing I did could get them off,” she said.

Her other schnauzer wasn’t harmed.

Kuenzel said in the process of finally rescuing her dog she received a superficial bite on her arm.

Jacki Casagranda, Chelsea Bailey Butte-Silver Bow Animal Shelter supervisor, told The Montana Standard the incident is under investigation and that no details were available on Friday.

As of Friday, deputy county attorney Kelli Fivey said she had not yet received a report on the incident.

It’s unclear whether the bigger dogs ran from an uncontained yard or another place, but Kuenzel has been in contact with their owner.

Kuenzel said her dog received six puncture wounds and that internal organs could have been damaged. The dog needs surgery, which Kuenzel said she can’t afford.

Kuenzel said the big-dog owner, who wasn’t identified, has paid her $70 toward the animal’s care.

“I don’t want to take his last dime,” said Kuenzel. “I just want people to be aware that people need to get their animals under control.”

The county ordinance says it’s illegal for people to keep “any dangerous animal at any time off the premises of the owner unless the animal is securely muzzled.” The law does not allow “jumping, barking and snapping at and biting pedestrians on public sidewalks, streets, alleys or other public places.”

It’s unclear if any of the dogs were licensed, as required by law.

(Montana Standard - May 29, 2015)