Pit bulls declared dangerous

Two pit bulls are locked in pens at the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Society shelter, accused of going on a rampage Sunday in a Spokane Valley neighborhood, reportedly attacking two dogs and severely wounding one.

Bandit, a black and white male, and No Way, a white and tan male, have been declared dangerous dogs by SCRAPS.

Both owners have indicated that they plan to appeal the decision, said SCRAPS director Nancy Hill.

The first attack happened at 10 a.m. in the 6000 block of East Sixth when a woman walking her two Chihuahuas came across the two pit bulls running loose, Hill said. The woman told SCRAPS that the pit bulls pounced on one of her dogs, while she dropped the leash to her other dog, hoping it would escape and run home.

Neighbors helped free her dog from the pit bulls, which ran off. The Chihuahua required multiple stitches and may need further surgery, Hill said. “It was pretty bad.”

The second attack happened 15 minutes later in the 6600 block of East 10th, Hill said. A man reported that he was working in his yard with his miniature schnauzer when he heard yelping. He turned to find his dog, which was in his yard, being attacked by the pit bulls, Hill said. Remarkably, Hill said, the dog wasn’t seriously hurt.

“They had it by the throat and were shaking it,” she said.

Neither owner gave an explanation as to why the dogs were running loose, Hill said.

Each owner was fined $152 for having a dog at large and dog threatening a domestic animal. No date has been set for a hearing on the dangerous dog appeal.