BROOKINGS — An animal-attack incident that led to the death of a dog was brought to the attention of the Brookings City Council at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Two people spoke regarding the June 2 incident on the corner of Ninth Street during the meeting’s public comment portion, asking for, among other things, changes to the city’s ordinances in order to reduce the risk of future incidents.
Afterward, City Manager Paul Briseno offered his condolences. He also invited Police Chief Michael Drake provide details on the city’s existing code, how it compares to other cities, and background information on the incident in question.
“It would be good for everyone to understand our existing code, how we respond, and then that we do take these cases seriously,” Briseno said.
Drake sympathized as well.
“This is a very traumatic incident that our community has suffered,” he said. “The loss of any pet to any owner will relate to a child being lost, and it is a tragic event.”
Drake noted that the case resulting from the incident is currently going through the criminal justice system and, as such, he could only provide certain information, including:
- The BPD was alerted to an incident, which occurred around 7 p.m., where a dog was attacked by two American bulldogs at the corner of Ninth Street. The dog later died from its injuries at a local veterinarian’s office.
“In short, these two American bulldogs were in the residence, spotted the dog being on the leash, being walked by her owner, and they barged through the door that was left adjacent or unlocked, either by (the) weather or not on purpose,” Drake said. “They then attacked the dog in a public way.”
- The owners are facing seven charges, six by city ordinance and one by South Dakota codified law, which is a Class 2 misdemeanor. Those charges have been referred to the Brookings County State’s Attorney’s Office and to magistrate court.
- The BPD seized and impounded the American bulldogs, ages 5 years and 6 years respectively, and housed them in the city’s shelter. Furthermore, Drake said the city ordinance prescribed a series of steps during the subsequent investigation, including that the dogs were properly licensed, identified and had rabies vaccinations.
- The city also has to keep an animal if it’s declared “vicious and biting” under city ordinance — and any such declaration can only be made by certain personnel, such as law enforcers, community service officers, veterinarians, utility personnel or an attending physician who’s treating a person injured in an animal attack.
- Drake said the veterinary animal hospital which treated the dog that was attacked refused to sign a letter making a “vicious and biting” declaration in regard to the attacking dogs. Instead, a community service officer and a police officer signed statements indicating as such. Once a “vicious and biting” declaration has been made, the city can keep the dogs for up to 30 days.
- Drake said it took the their owners approximately two weeks to complete a series of requirements, which included rabies vaccination, altering the dogs to prevent reproduction, a city license, the use of locked and escape-proof kennels, muzzles and leashes no longer than 6 feet, and that the dogs can only be attended to by a person 18 years or older, unless the animals are in a kennel.
With those requirements met, the dogs have since been returned to their owners. That done, Briseno said the city wanted to assure the community that it values the safety of pet owners and people walking in neighborhoods.
“I always encourage the public to reach out to myself and the police department,” Drake said. “I’m always available if there’s any questions or concerns of the enforcement or the ordinances or how they’re interpreted and how we respond and react.”
He closed with, “I always leave myself available for anybody in the community that can either stop by and visit me at the police department. If they see myself in Hy-Vee off-duty, they’re always welcome to ask me questions. I always make myself available for anything and whatever I can release to the public, I will.”
The BPD’s non-emergency number is 605-692-2113. Drake’s email is mdrake@cityofbrookings-sd.gov.
— Contact Mondell Keck at mondell.keck@brookingsregister.com.
