Dog owner vows to fight "dangerous" ruling by City Council

[bigdoglover]

WCF Courier

By Tim Jamison

WATERLOO --- The owner of a dog labeled "dangerous" by the City Council is planning to fight to save her pet's life.

"I have a lawyer and I'm going all the way with this," said Monique Wolf. "My dogs have never attacked a person. They are not vicious."

Wolf's Staffordshire terrier, Caesar, was declared a dangerous dog Monday by a unanimous vote of the City Council based on two incidents when he got out of Wolf's fenced yard and knocked over 81-year-old Bernice Wasserfort. The first time in June 2005, Caesar tried unsuccessfully to get Wasserfort's Yorkshire terrier; the second time, on June 3, Caesar was one of two of Wolf's dogs to get loose, and they killed the Yorkie.

Council members took action after hearing concerns from Wasserfort's daughter and another resident of the neighborhood who said Wolf's pit bulls injured her while attempting to get her pet dog last year.

Wolf, who said late Tuesday that she had not received the dangerous dog citation, plans to appeal the decision within the seven-day window allowed by city ordinance.

"I'm fighting it because Caesar's not a vicious dog," she said. "A dog will go after a dog, any dog. That does not make it vicious."

Wolf believes her neighbors, some of whom have children that play with her three dogs, will speak on her behalf at an eventual hearing.

This is an unfortunate accident that happened because of a fence, not because my dog lurks and looks to attack," she said.

Wolf also questioned why Caesar was singled out, noting it was her two female dogs that were loose when another neighbor reported them going after her pet. She also said the investigating officers from animal control did not decide the dogs were dangerous after sitting with them.

"I know other pit bulls that have bitten children and they just got a citation," Wolf said. "There's numerous incidents where dogs have attacked cats and nobody's done anything about that."

Wolf said volunteers have offered to help her build a secure kennel in her back yard. Meanwhile, she is only taking the dogs out of her house, one at a time.

"Since this happened (June 3) I've had balls of raw meat thrown in my yard to entice my dogs," she said. "I've gotten phone calls."

[gsp4619]

I'm not sure how to respond to that one. But I would like to see what everyone thinks.

[c0_re]

I hate to say it but she kinda brought this on herself, she doenst sound like the kind of person that needs two PB in her backyard the things probably never even get out of the backyard for walks and adventures, but I certainly don't think they should be put down.

[rmci]

The first time in June 2005, Caesar tried unsuccessfully to get Wasserfort's Yorkshire terrier; the second time, on June 3, Caesar was one of two of Wolf's dogs to get loose, and they killed the Yorkie.

Unfortunately, the dog killed another dog and many believe that once a dog has killed, it will again. It's really sad.

"I'm fighting it because Caesar's not a vicious dog," she said. "A dog will go after a dog, any dog. That does not make it vicious."

True, there are some dogs that will "go after"other dogs, but this one killed another dog.
Since the owner knew from June 2005 that the dogs may go after another, she should have taken some sort of precaution. This article doesn't give any information as to what changes she may have made to avoid such a situation since the first incident. Also, the article doesn't state whether or not there may have been other incidents discussed in the investigation.

The owner of the Yorkie definitely wouldn't agree with her that her dog is not vicious.

She also said the investigating officers from animal control did not decide the dogs were dangerous after sitting with them.

They'd be the ones that submitted the report to be voted on....

"Since this happened (June 3) I've had balls of raw meat thrown in my yard to entice my dogs," she said. "I've gotten phone calls."

This makes me sick.

[Ritz459]

Well....do I think she should be owning the Staffies and do I think she is doing a good job? No, but that doesn't mean the dogs should be PTS. I just think that if she can't do a better job at controlling the dogs, then they should be rehomed, not killed.
I mean, my Labrador is dog aggressive and has a prey drive but we don't leave him unsupervised either. Personally, if I had a dog (no matter what breed) that kept escaping from my yard and causing issues, I wouldn't let them out into the yard unless they were on a chain and supervised or unless we got higher/better/stronger fencing.

True, there are some dogs that will "go after"other dogs, but this one "killed" another dog.

Just because a dog kills another dog doesn't mean it will attack people next. And it was a small dog so frankly, it couldn't have been much to kill it. Rose would probably try to "hunt" a smaller dog just because it reminded her of prey. And remember what breed we are talking about here. It is a Staffie and they do have a strong prey drive and dog aggression.

[GSD]

rehoming the dog would be an option, i'm not so sure the dog needs to be put down, but this lady knew she had a dog that didn't like other dogs, and it was able to escape twice. One time Ok, next time she better be prepared.

I NEVER have my dog outside unsupervised. Why? I have a bite trained dog, that nobody would guess is unless I told them. "things" can happen and as long as i'm there I can stop things before they start. If you want dogs capable of doing certain things, you have to be prepared and willing to be safe with them as well.

[rmci]

Originally Posted by Ritz459

Just because a dog kills another dog doesn't mean it will attack people next. And it was a small dog so frankly, it couldn't have been much to kill it. Rose would probably try to "hunt" a smaller dog just because it reminded her of prey. And remember what breed we are talking about here. It is a Staffie and they do have a strong prey drive and dog aggression.

Where did I say that the dog would attack people? The dog most certainly will go after other small animals and it sounds like the owner is unprepared to deal with it. Did I agree that the dog should be put to sleep? No, I stated that unfortunately it probably will be since it killed another dog. I also stated that it was sad. Usually when a case like this voted on by a council, rehoming isn't included in the equation unless the owner enters an appeal for it. It doesn't sound like she's thinking about trying that, she wants to keep the dog herself. Hard to say from this article though.

If your dog/cat was attacked by two dogs and killed how would you feel?