Vickie Tkacz, a dog breeder charged with several misdemeanors after her Newfoundlands killed an older Labrador mix at Jackson Cove Park, is receiving death threats, her attorney said Wednesday.
Six death threats came in through her website, LakesideNewfies.com, attorney Ralph Crozier of Seymour said.
She disabled the website over the weekend to prevent further threats.
“I haven’t read the death threats, but she spoke to me about it, and I agreed she should take it (the website) down to stop additional stuff,” Crozier said on behalf of Vickie Tkacz, who did not return telephone calls to the Valley Independent Sentinel.
The family has not asked police to investigate, deciding the death threats are not credible, Crozier said.
The Newfoundlands — large dogs known for their gentle nature — killed a Labrador mix named Roxi in the park July 26. The Tkacz family and their dogs live near the park.
The park was closed for several days after the attack because the parks and recreation director was not sure the Newfies involved in the attack had been captured.
The following video is an interview with Patrick Severson, the owner of the Roxy, the 11-year-old dog that was killed. Article continues after the video.
As a result of the incident, state police charged Tkacz with one count of obstructing the duty of an animal control officer, two counts of failure to obey a quarantine order, four counts of allowing dogs to roam and four counts of animal nuisance.
Oxford officials said a video shows the Newfoundlands attacked the lab without warning. Crozier disputed that account.
Crozier also said Wednesday he is attempting to work out an agreement with Oxford to get her quarantined dogs back.
As part of the agreement, some of the Newfoundlands may be required to wear muzzles and be controlled by adults when taking walks, Crozier said.
Oxford Town Attorney Fran Teodosio was not available for comment Wednesday.
Anonymous posters on various websites have questioned whether Tkacz was operating a legal Newfoundland breeding business at her property.
The operation was legal, Crozier said — and Tkacz plans to remain in business.
Crozier said there were six Newfoundlands at her property the day of the attack — five females and one male.
According to state law, if a breeder produces more than two litters of puppies a year, they need a kennel permit from the town.
However, just two of the female dogs were being used to breed, Crozier said, so Tkacz was not producing more than two litters a year.
Four of the six dogs had town-issued dog licenses. The two unlicensed Newfies were recent purchases who were about to be licensed, Crozier said.
Sandy Merry, Oxford’s Animal Control Officer, has four of Tkacz’ Newfoundlands in custody.
However, Crozier claims the dogs in custody were not the Newfoundlands involved in the mauling. He also claims that just two Newfies were involved in the fight — not four, as witnesses and town officials have said.
The Newfoundlands involved in the incident were sold to someone in New York immediately after the attack. That deal had been in the works for some time, Crozier said.
State police and the town’s animal control officer have not reacted directly to Crozier’s statement.
The arrest warrant, which will detail the probable cause police reached to charge Tkacz, has not been made public yet.
Authorities have a video of the incident, which has not been made public.
Severson, 20, the dead dog’s owner, He witnessed the attack. He was bitten several times trying to break up the dog fight.
Severson also works for the town part-time in Jackson Cove Park. He said the Newfoundlands have been a source of irritation in the park previously.
“They’ve been down here without leashes,” he said.
Authorities have not confirmed whether there have been past complaints against the breeder.
Severson said he was holding his Labrador, Roxi, on a leash at the time she was attacked by the Newfoundlands.
Severson is continuing a program of rabies shots and antibiotics to prevent any possible infection.
“I’m okay,” Severson said of his wounds.
Tkacz plans to plead not guilty when she appears in court Aug. 18.
