Dog’s Citation Raises Question About Elusive Lion Officials Skeptical Branded Canine Killed Lamb, Roamed West Spokane

Eight months ago, the mysterious death of a lamb on a west Spokane farm fed worries that an African lion was on the loose.

The lamb had been killed by an animal with “major jaw power,” animal control officers said. But they couldn’t confirm that it was the phantom lion.

On Tuesday, a large fluffy dog from the same farm was declared dangerous by county commissioners. Duchess, a Great Pyrenees, is accused of biting four joggers and bikers over the past three years.

Coincidence? Perhaps. A clue in the Great Lion Hunt of 1996?

Animal control officer Nancy Sattin said it would be highly unusual for a Great Pyrenees, which are bred to protect sheep, to turn against them.

But, Sattin said, it’s also unusual for the 100-pound dogs with white fur to attack people.

“I suppose there’s no way of knowing for sure” whether the dog attacked the lamb, Sattin said.

Officials were not so skeptical in June, when a woman reported seeing a 500-pound lion. Streets were closed while heavily armed officers launched a massive search and baited traps with cat food. School children were forbidden from taking recess.

Terrified and amused residents reported lions that turned out to be dogs, lion tracks that proved to be dog prints.

Amid all the hubbub, Graham reported the death of her lamb just six blocks from where the first lion sighting was reported.

News crews and searchers flocked to the farm, where Sattin confirmed that the lamb was killed by something with “major jaw power.”

No lion was found.

Duchess’ taste for flesh is equally mysterious. The Great Pyrenees Club of America describes the breed’s temperament as “quiet composure, both patient and tolerant.”

Sattin thinks animals and people on the farm had nothing to fear from Duchess and surmises that passing joggers and bikers triggered a territorial response.

Graham said her dog has been given a bad rap. She concedes Duchess probably bit once, but contends the three other alleged victims either are lying or provoked the dog.

“I don’t know why. Maybe for a lawsuit,” she said angrily when asked why people with minor bite wounds would lie. None has sued.

Graham said she’s certain Duchess wouldn’t hurt a lamb.

“I had Duchess for 11 years, and I raised alpaca and sheep and lambs that entire time” she said. “I would have noticed if Duchess had been a danger.”

Besides, Graham said, the dog was chained the day the lamb died. She also contends Duchess was chained on Jan. 6, when the dog allegedly left the yard to bite its latest victim.

As for what killed the lamb, Graham said she never did believe it was a lion. “I think it was a badger.”

Owners of dangerous dogs must buy $75-a-year licenses and meet other requirements so expensive they drive many owners to have their pets euthanized.

, DataTimes