The town’s animal control officer has ordered the destruction of two Newfoundland dogs officials believe were involved in the killing of a Labrador mix at Jackson Cove Park last month.
Officials tried to work out an agreement that would have seen the Newfies returned to owner Vickie Tkacz with strict conditions, according to a prepared statement sent Thursday by First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers.
Drayton-Rogers said the destruction order was issued because Tkacz had failed to sign an agreement by 9 a.m. Wednesday.
“Unfortunately it has come to this because of the owner’s recklessness in handling her dogs and the uncooperative response she has had to the horrific action that took place against another animal at our park,” Drayton-Rogers said in a statement.
“In the best interest and safety of all concerned, and after every attempt to work with the owner, the town is left with no alternative but to see that these animals are put down,” she said.
But Tkacz’s attorney, Ralph Crozier, said Tkacz agreed to the strict release conditions — and was still gathering documents requested by the town.
Crozier said he faxed documents to town attorney Fran Teodosio at 3:15 p.m. Thursday.
Teodosio declined to answer questions.
Crozier claims the town hadn’t notified him of the destruction order as of 6 p.m. Thursday.
“I’m dumbfounded,” Crozier said of the destruction order, which he plans to appeal, which could move the issue to civil court.
Crozier said Tkacz was cooperating, even though the town kept putting more and more conditions on the proposed agreement.
Tkacz did not return a call seeking comment Thursday.
Drayton-Rogers said two other Newfies she believes were involved in the attack have been moved out of state. They would also be ordered to be destroyed if they ever came back to Oxford.
When asked if the order could be reversed in light of Tkacz’s alleged agreement, Drayton-Rogers said she would have to consult with Teodosio.
Drayton-Rogers’ statement is posted below. The article continues after the document.
Drayton-Rogers Statement on Dogs
Background
According to town officials and state police, four children were walking four of Tkacz’ New Foundlands at Jackson Cove Park July 26 when they got off their leashes and attacked an 11-year-old Lab mix named Roxi.
The Lab’s owner, 20-year-old Patrick Severson, was bitten several times trying to break up the fight. His dog died a short time later.
Tkacz was not cooperative with police or the town’s animal control officer from the start, according to an arrest warrant on file in Superior Court in Derby.
Tkacz was eventually charged with several misdemeanors, including 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.
She is scheduled to appear in court to answer those charges on Aug. 18.
A copy of the arrest warrant is posted below. Article continues after the document.
In Custody
Tkacz allegedly owned a total of six Newfoundlands. Crozier said she sold two of those dogs to a New York buyer immediately after the attack.
Records on file in Oxford Town Hall show her as having only four dog licenses.
Oxford had four of the six dogs in quarantine for two weeks. An arrest warrant claims Tkacz refused to reveal the location of the two dogs allegedly in New York.
Drayton-Rogers said the town will spare two of the four quarantined dogs. The two surviving animals could be returned to Tkacz under certain conditions, Drayton-Rogers said.
She referred additional questions to the town attorney, who would not answer questions.
The Proposed Agreement
Oxford officials had proposed returning the four Newfies to Tkacz if she agreed to keep them muzzled and on her property. They would not be allowed to go to town parks or trails, under the agreement.
Crozier said the town also asked for several documents — including a notarized statement from a veterinarian in New York saying the two dogs that were sold after the attack did not have rabies.
Crozier said Tkacz was in New York Thursday trying to obtain those documents.
Meanwhile, Severson has been undergoing rabies treatment as a precaution, because it is unknown whether the dogs had their rabies shots. He was unable to be reached for comment Thursday.
His mother, Patricia Severson, was reached at home Thursday afternoon and would not comment on the destruction order.
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