(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — Two large dogs that mauled and killed two pets and injured an elderly man on the city’s south side have been officially declared “vicious” by the Kenosha County Division of Health — a designation that means they are now banned from residing anywhere within the City of Kenosha.
The dogs, Caucasian Shepherds named Drago and Olympia, belong to 29-year-old Nicholas Garcia, who lives near 33rd Avenue where the attacks occurred on May 7. According to police reports, Garcia’s dogs escaped from his backyard and launched a violent spree that left one dog dead on the sidewalk and another mortally wounded. An 81-year-old man who tried to protect his pet was also bitten on the hand.
Despite Garcia’s claim that his fence was secure, officers and animal control personnel determined both dogs were dangerously out of control and posed a threat to the community. Under city ordinance, any dog declared vicious cannot remain within Kenosha city limits.
But that decision may not be final.
Garcia has the right to appeal the Health Department’s ruling to the Kenosha Common Council — a body that has previously overturned such declarations, even in cases where dogs had bitten multiple people. In one instance, council members voted to allow a dog with a history of biting to remain in the city, against the recommendation of public health officials.
As of Monday afternoon, Garcia had not yet filed an appeal. However, Kenosha County Environmental Health Manager Mark Melotik confirmed to Kenosha County Eye that Drago and Olympia had officially been declared vicious.
“They attacked two dogs, killing one and the other later died from its injuries. A person also got bit,” Melotik wrote. “Still waiting to see if they appeal the order.”
Police were called to the neighborhood shortly after 6 p.m. on May 7 for reports of two large dogs running loose and attacking others. One small dog was already dead when officers arrived. The second dog was severely injured and died the following day. The elderly man, who had been walking his own dog when the attack occurred, was treated for a hand injury after attempting to intervene.
Garcia was cited for allowing the dogs to run at large. Officers later seized both animals, and they are currently being held at the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Kenosha campus while the case is pending.
If the Common Council upholds the Health Department’s decision, Garcia will be forced to relocate the animals outside city limits. If the council reverses it — as it has in the past — Drago and Olympia could return to the same neighborhood where the deadly maulings occurred.
9 Responses
Why aren’t K9s designation “vicious”? They are trained to bite, latch on and naturally shake thier head to inflict further injuries. What, you think when its handler is calling it off the dog just stops its attacking?
Yes that’s exactly how it works moron.
They are trained to attack under direct supervision of an officer. Entirely different than a dog in the community attacking person or pet with lethal force and owner is not present or is not able to control their “pet”
A good dog owner knows, a dog can change quickly, any dog can bite. Bottom line owner is responsible for controlling their dog.
are you really that stupid? K Police dogs are trained to attack upon command, they don’t just wander the streets attacking people and animals. How dumb can you be and still breathe?
Pull your head out your bloated white ass and look at the real world. K9 have not only attacked the handler but also not listened to the command of release. K9 have “accidentally” been released on a compliant prone suspecr while the handler utter oops my bad. The incident was found to be accidental the handler faced no charges and the K9 not labeled vicious.
Maybe officers should have to face a K9 without body padding once before being able to be a handler. It’s done with pepper spray and tazers so why not with a trained K9? Shouldn’t be such a big problem if K9 aren’t all that vicious. By the way if being a person that’s dumb and still breathing mystified you then you’re dumber than I could ever think.
They are a liabilty. I would not want to own dogs like that. Put them out of their misery!
I live on the south side and have a little dog that i walk. I would hate to run into these vicious animals! Both dogs should be euthanized and the owner should be fined and forced to pay all the man’s medical bills and something for the loss of these other two dogs.
Pull your head out your bloated white ass and look at the real world. K9 have not only attacked the handler but also not listened to the command of release. K9 have “accidentally” been released on a compliant prone suspecr while the handler utter oops my bad. The incident was found to be accidental the handler faced no charges and the K9 not labeled vicious.
Maybe officers should have to face a K9 without body padding once before being able to be a handler. It’s done with pepper spray and tazers so why not with a trained K9? Shouldn’t be such a big problem if K9 aren’t all that vicious. By the way if being a person that’s dumb and still breathing mystified you then you’re dumber than I could ever think.
My neighbor’s dog attacked and killed a chihuahua, but it went unreported. The same dog also attacked 2 of my cats, permanently damaging them and costing me hundreds of dollars. Her gate has a large gap on the bottom, which several people have expressed concerns to her regarding her dogs getting out or being able to attack a dog from underneath. Her response is that she has something to block it, but does not want to inconvenience herself and move it every time she opens the gate smh.