About 80 people attended a neighborhood meeting called by Ward 4 Councilman Tom Henderson Monday night at the Bay Lodge to discuss the situation.
The two pit bulls remain in the custody of the Cuyahoga County animal warden’s office, which investigated the incident along with the Bay Village police Department.
Charlotte, a Yorkie - Shih Tzu mix (aka Shorkie), succumbed to her devastating injuries while being rushed to a vet.
Her owner and his son-in-law were attacked by the pit bulls while they and another man tried to protect Charlotte, police said.
Bay Village City Police Chief Mark Spaetzel said it is the second incident in little more than a year involving dogs owned by the same family on Pellett Drive.
In 2015, an eight-year-old Cocker Spaniel mix was attacked by a different pit bull – in that incident the smaller dog suffered major injuries but survived after multiple trips to vets. That pit bull was taken and sent to a shelter out of the area, officials said.
This is what's called NIMBY = not in my back yard. They exile the vicious dog out of their jurisdiction into another unsuspecting community so that this vicious dog can then attack and kill in their community.
Spaetzel said he is recommending the two pit bulls be euthanized, based on the attack and that the two dogs are continuing their aggressive behavior while in custody. He said it’s likely the county will accept his recommendation.
Spaetzel, Henderson and Bay Village Law Director Gary Ebert said under the current laws they can only charge the pit bulls’ owners with a minor misdemeanor, dog-at-large, meaning a fine in Rocky River Municipal Court.
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| Thomas Moran, Charlotte's owner |
"My little 16-month-old granddaughter walks around the house and asks for the dog. She is looking for it. And it tears me up when we see that," said Thomas Moran.
Residents told the officials people in the neighborhood are afraid to walk their dogs or have their children go by the home because the owners have had the pit bulls and other dangerous dogs there on a consistent basis the last several years. They asked why more action has not been taken. Several asked if it would take a small child being killed for council to take action. All the officials noted the city still has to follow existing laws and the pit bulls’ owners also have rights as citizens.
“I feel terrible for the residents who were attacked and for their dog, Charlotte, who was killed,” he said. “This is a heartbreaking event that has affected not just one family, but a whole neighborhood.”
Henderson said current laws focus on the dogs themselves.
“Perhaps we need to turn our attention to the owners of dangerous dogs, particularly if a person owns or has owned more than one dangerous dog in the past,” he said. “If we can enact an ordinance that will increase public safety without violating the rights of dog owners across the city, I will seek to advance such an ordinance.”
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| Police Chief Mark Spaetzel |
Meantime, the dogs are currently being held at the Cuyahoga County kennel.
"I notified the owners that we've petitioned the court to have both dogs euthanized. The reason is that both dogs pose a danger and there's a high likelihood it will happen again," said Chief Spaetzel.
But for some, it's not enough.
Resident after resident voiced their concern that a vicious and dangerous dog ordinance should be stricter within the city.
"It's upsetting just knowing that this isn't the kind of thing that should be happening on our street. In our city. This shouldn't be happening," said Gil Moran.
Chief Spaetzel adds that the maximum punishment for the misdemeanor charges is $150 dollar fine.
(NorthcoastNOW.com - Sept 4, 2016)
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