Under a Michigan statute, the three huskies that attacked and killed a cat in Grand Rapids cannot be considered “dangerous” for that specific instance.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. —
Kent County Animal Control took away three huskies from their owner after they attacked and killed a cat on Grand Rapids' northwest side Tuesday, according to police.
The huskies are now in the custody of the Kent County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Michigan’s Dangerous Animals Act (Act 426 of 1988), a “dangerous animal” means a dog or other animal that bites or attacks a person, or a dog that bites or attacks and causes serious injury or death to another dog while the other dog is on the property or under the control of its owner.”
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker still hasn’t seen a case brought to his office regarding the death of the cat, Mrs. P, but because of this act, he doesn’t know if anything can be done.
“There's nothing in that dangerous animal statute that would say attacking a cat would make it a dangerous animal,” Becker said. “So that's one of the biggest things that you have to realize is that right now, under the Michigan law, cats, there's no protection for cats, if you will.”
The law has some exceptions, but not for cats.
Mrs. P’s owners told 13 ON YOUR SIDE the huskies have been roaming the neighborhood for years and their cat wasn’t the pack’s first victim.
Last year,13 ON YOUR SIDE spoke to another pet owner when her dog was attacked by the huskies. We reached out again but have not heard back.
Becker said if the investigation finds a history with the huskies, there could be room for charges.
“We take a look at all the facts and circumstances, not just what happened in this instance, but also what happened in the past as well,” Becker said. “And they send a report down and we make a decision based on that and taking a look at what the law is. So, I understand there's outrage and whatever may be, but that's why we have these investigative tools to try and take a look at it and base a decision on everything that we get regarding a specific act.”
The cat attack is still under investigation.
The dogs will remain in the Kent County Sheriff’s Office’s custody until the prosecutor reviews the case.
