Court Won’t Review Dog’s Death Sentence

The Oregon Supreme Court declined Tuesday to review a death sentence handed down in Jackson County for a dog that chased a horse.

Nadas, a collie-malamute mix, was seized in September 1996 under a state law that allows counties to destroy dogs that chase livestock.

John Koskela, a Supreme Court clerk, said the court grants both parties 21 days to file a motion for reconsideration. Such a motion must state why the party believes the court should reconsider its petition for review.

The dog’s owner, Sean Roach, declined to comment on Tuesday’s decision. His attorney, Robert Babock, couldn’t be reached, but previously indicated he would seek reconsideration if the court rejected his petition for review.

Steve Rinkle, Jackson County assistant counsel, said, “It’s kind of what we expected. It’s always been a pretty simple legal issue.”

Commissioners have said the law gives them no alternative to execution. The dog had a previous offense, chasing cattle in December 1995.