Two Oxford Newfoundlands who killed a dog and bit a man at Jackson Cove Park will not be put down this week as scheduled.
Ralph Crozier is attempting to have the destruction order overturned. He sent a letter Monday to the state formally appealing the order, which was handed down by the town’s animal control officer with the support of Oxford officials. On Thursday, he filed a lawsuit in civil court in Milford to get the animal control’s officer order thrown out, the Rep-Am reported.
Crozier represents Vickie Tkacz, who owns four Newfoundlands that killed a mixed Labrador mix July 26 and bit the Lab’s owner, Patrick Severson.
Tkacz, a Newfoundland breeder, did not cooperate with the Oxford animal control’s officer into the incident, police and town officials allege. The town has custody of two of the Newfoundlands — while the other two were sold to someone in New York immediately after the attack.
Tkacz is facing several misdemeanor criminal charges in connection to her alleged lack of cooperation. She is also being sued in civil court by the Severson family.
Crozier said Tkacz signed an agreement with the town that would have seen the Newfoundlands given back to her, provided she kept muzzles on the animals and kept them off town property, among many other conditions.
The town maintains that Tkacz would not agree to the terms — as evidenced by the fact she did not sign a final agreement with the town.
Crozier questioned why the Town of Oxford is taking on these legal expenses over the incident.
“They don’t deserve to be disposed of, the notices were improper and we already had an agreement,” he said.
A hearing on the separate civil case was scheduled for Monday in Superior Court in Milford. However, another hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 13.
Karen Fisher, an attorney representing the Severson family, declined to comment.
Previous stories:
Dog Mauling Closes Oxford Park
Oxford Dog Owner Charged With Several Misdemeanors
Oxford Dog Owner Gives Different Account Of Mauling
Oxford Dog Owner Receives Death Threats
Arrest Warrant Released In Oxford Dog Mauling
Tkacz: ‘I Just Want My Dogs Back’
Oxford Dog Appeal Would Be Under State Jurisdiction
Lawyer Says Oxford Is Targeting His Client
