Dogs declared dangerous

A Spokane County hearing examiner has agreed two pit bulls that attacked two dogs in a span of minutes should be declared dangerous.

The dogs, named No Way and Bandit, are owned by Charlotte Stempel and Jeremiah Nollan, both of 318 S. Bradley Road.

Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service declared the dogs dangerous after the May 15 incidents. The two owners appealed the designation and a hearing was held recently. The Hearing Examiner’s decision must be approved by Spokane County Commission.

“They clearly met the criteria for dangerous dogs,” said hearing examiner Mike Dempsey. “One dog was chewed up pretty good.”

A dog must be found to have inflicted severe injuries on or killed an animal or person without provocation in order to be declared dangerous.

The first dog attacked was one of two Chihuahuas being walked in the 6000 block of East Sixth Avenue. It was mauled while the other dog escaped with the help of neighbors. The Chihuahua, named Peanut, needed surgery to reconnect muscles in her shoulder and received several stitches.

The second attack occurred about 15 minutes later in the 6600 block of East 10th Avenue. The pit bulls reportedly entered a man’s yard and attacked his miniature schnauzer, which was not injured.

SCRAPS animal control officer Dave Daley testified during the hearing that both dogs had blood on their chins when he arrived to impound them.

Dempsey said he was concerned because both dogs had been found running loose several times before.

“One of the owners had a previous dog declared potentially dangerous,” Dempsey said. “It was on a public street. People have a right to walk on the street.”

Owners of dangerous dogs must follow strict rules in caging or otherwise restraining the animal. Special insurance is also required in the amount of $250,000 per dog.