A pet owner in the Reno-Sparks area says her dog is scheduled for euthanasia due to a dangerous dog determination. In order to avoid euthanasia there is certain criteria that needs to be met.
In Washoe County a dog is deemed dangerous when:
- If without provocation, on two separate occasions within 18 months, has behaved menacingly, to a degree that would lead a reasonable person to defend themselves against substantial bodily harm, when the dog is off his own property or
- Without being provoked,or influenced, substantial bodily harm upon a human being or on public or private property, regardless of whether the dog was on his own property or not or
- If a dog attacks another animal off of its property or
- If the dog was used in the commission of a crime, a law enforcement agency may petition to declare a dog dangerous.
The Regional Animal Services would investigate a situation, and if a dog has been declared dangerous by the hearing officer or judge, the pet owner may decide if they wish to keep their pet within Washoe County and therefore comply with regulations and requirements in accordance with WCC 55.760 and 55.770.
Some of these requirements are:
- Construct proper enclosure for the dog and agree to inspection by WCRAS. If they live at a rental property, they must have permission from the property owner to have a dangerous dog on the property
- Post an insurance bond or policy in at least the amount of $250,000 per dog declared dangerous
- Post conspicuous signage about the property warning that there is a dangerous dog
- A dog deemed dangerous must wear a muzzle when taken out in public
- Comply with additional requirements as listed in the code, including but no limited to transportation, confinement and re-homing restrictions
- Failure to comply could result in the forfeiture of the dog
The Director of Washoe County Regional Animal Services said, "The reason that those restrictions are put into place is to protect other people and other animals. The bottom line is we're not telling the pet owner who has an animal that's declared dangerous that you can't have this animal. We're telling them that now you have certain restrictions in order for public safety to own this animal."
Verna Kooy's dog was declared dangerous after her male dog bit a smaller dog, leaving wounds on its leg. According to Kooy, on July 16, three of her dogs escaped from their home. In court documents, the owner of the dog that was bitten said the three dogs were roaming through her neighborhood. She also said the dogs were running towards her 4-year-old child, and their Miniature Pinscher jumped in between the dogs and the child. That's when the Miniature Pinscher was bitten by the male doge "Koda," leaving wounds on the other dogs leg. The document also states that this incident wasn't the first time the dogs have been reported missing.
Kooy says the bite was an isolated incident. She admits Koda has escaped before, but insists that her dog is friendly.
"My dog is a social butterfly. From the time he was a puppy we got him out to socialize with other people and dogs. Not once has he ever shown any aggression towards anyone or any other animal and again, I have 7 kids. I would never subject my kids to Koda if he was dangerous." said Kooy
She also mentions the size of Koda in comparison to other other dog and said, "If Koda was trying to attack the animal I believe he could've done a lot more damage."
However, Kooy is remorseful and understands that she must comply with the code in order to keep her dog and avoid euthanasia. But a big concern is having to build an enclosure that would limit space in her yard, and the freedom of her dog.
Kooy said, "I'm just scared that if he gets out one more time he gets automatically euthanized. If I don't comply with a code he's automatically euthanized, I can't re-home him I can't do anything to save his life right now except get the kennel built to their standards which is what I'm having a problem with."
She says to meet the criteria for proper enclosure it must be 12 feet in width by 18 feet in length constructed of not less than nine-gauge chain link fencing and have concrete floor of at least 2 ft deep. She also says that her yard is not big enough to have this enclosure. However, animal services says exceptions can be made case-by-case.
Regardless Kooy says she will do whatever she has to, to keep Koda.
"I totally get why there are laws and restrictions, it's to make sure the community's safe from a dangerous dog. I absolutely get that. I totally own that he got off and everything like that, but he has the same consequences that an animal that bit someone's arm off would have, you know, he's in prison for life or euthanized for a little scuffle with a dog. You know if there's some other way to punish him that would be fine, to give him rehab or give him you know dog training or something, not put him in prison for the rest of his life." said Kooy.
To learn more about Koda you can click here or for more information on the Washoe County Regional Animal Services you can click here.
(Washoe County Regional Animal Services Contributed to this report.)
