Couple recounts pit bull attack on dog
Like many McCook citizens, Judy Wortley puts her dog on a leash and takes a walk in the city. But something went terribly wrong last week on their regular walk.
Wortley and her husband George brought their dog, Sophie, to the regular McCook City Council meeting Monday night and showed the nine bite wounds their dog suffered when a pitbull jumped over a fence and attacked the animal.
Wortley told the council the dog's owner came out and kicked at the dog, which then ran down the street with the owner chasing after it. "If he hadn't come out, he would have killed Sophie," Wortley related.
Wortley, who fell to the ground during the incident, said she carried Sophie home and took her to the vet, when they discovered nine bite wounds that had to be stitched up,
Wortley said she wasn't upset or angry but very concerned that this could happen again.
"I don't think the owners realize how dangerous their dog is," she said, as the extent of the wounds were not immediately apparent due to her dog's thick fur.
The incident was reported to the police, Wortley said, but she is concerned nothing more will happen at this point. "The attack was unprovoked," she said.
City Attorney Nate Schneider asked the Wortleys to bring him pictures showing the dog's injuries, which he will include in his presentation at courty court. As with other dog attacks, Red Willow County Judge Anne Paine will determine the fees and penalties, based on the city attorney's recommendation, the severity of the case and history of the dog.
City Council member Colleen Grant said after Wortley's presentation that she has spoken with the city manager about designating a dog as vicious after the first bite.
Animal control ordinances are undergoing revision by the City Council, including stiffer fines for vicious dogs, mandating the licensing of dogs and the creation of an animal control officer position.
The council directed Monday night that Schneider draft the proposed changes into city law and bring them back to the Council for review.
Schneider also indicated that after reviewing state law, although there are some exceptions, animal fines could not be allowed to go toward the costs of an animal control officer.
Councilman Jack Rogers questioned at the May 18 council meeting whether the fines could be used to offset the animal control position, as it was his understanding that fines go to the schools.
Councilman Aaron Kircher asked about other recommendations included in the proposed animal control laws. These included the creation of a dog park, making owners legally responsible for damages caused by other animals and making it a crime to interfere with law enforcement or an animal control officer, such as hiding a potentially vicious dog
Schneider said some of the recommendations are already addressed in the proposed animal control laws, such as compensating for damages and interfering with law enforcement.
City Manager Kurt Fritsch said the recommendations are separate ideas and that the council could address them later if they are a priority.
He added the council has heard positive comments about a dog park, with an individual offering the use of some land for it.
But the council has also heard from citizens who want to prohibit dogs totally from city parks, he said.
Mayor Dennis Berry asked if the animal control officer would be separate from a law enforcement position. Councilman Kircher said the proposed ordinance as written states an animal control officer or law enforcement would enforce the laws.