An attorney said Thursday he’ll seek a court injunction to stop Oxford from putting down two Newfoundlands who allegedly killed another dog and bit a park worker last month.
The dogs, belonging to Newfoundland breeder Vickie Tkacz, are scheduled to be killed Aug. 24, attorney Ralph Crozier said.
Oxford’s animal control officer issued the death order because Tkacz has never been cooperative with the investigation into what happened July 26 at Jackson Cove Park, where the dog fight happened, according to a press release issued by First Selectwoman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers Aug. 11. Click here to read the press release.
Crozier represents Tkacz, who appeared Thursday in Superior Court in Derby, where she was arraigned on 11 misdemeanor charges related to the dog fight.
Tkacz pleaded not guilty. She is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 21.
In addition to seeking a court injunction to prevent the dogs from being killed Aug. 24, Crozier said he will file an appeal with the state to overturn the Oxford animal control officer’s order.
“I have no choice but to appeal it,” Crozier said. See the video for more comments from Crozier.
The attorney said Tkacz signed an agreement with the town that should see the two Newfies returned as long as Tkacz complies with a number of conditions. Example — the dogs are to be muzzled and leashed and would not be allowed in town parks.
Click here to read the agreement.
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.
Outside court, Crozier picked apart some of the misdemeanors lodged against his client. He said the nuisance and roaming charges are only valid if a particular dog was cited within the past year. That’s not the case with the specific dogs involved in the attack, Crozier indicated.
“None of these dogs have ever been charged with roaming, nor have any of these four dogs been charged with a nuisance,” Crozier said. “She had other dogs that may have been charged a couple of years ago, but she no longer owns them.”
Fran Teodosio, Oxford’s town attorney, declined to comment on the case.
Crozier said Tkacz is sorry about what happened to Roxi, the black Lab killed by the Newfoundlands.
“She’s very upset about what happened. She personally loves animals. And a Newfoundland is the most gentle dog in the world. This is very unusual and very tragic,” Crozier said.
But, Crozier said, the incident has been blown out of proportion.
Tkacz declined comment outside court.
Crozier said he plans to file motions to dismiss the criminal case prior to her next court date.
“I’m hoping calmer heads prevail, and people stop and realize we’re talking about animals here, and I’m hoping we can solve this problem without going to trial and having anything more than an honest negotiation and an amicable conclusion,” he said.
2? 4? 6?
State police and Oxford town officials maintain that four of Tkacz’ dogs participated in the attack. Crozier said that while four were present, just two actually attacked the Labrador mix.
There is a video, but the two sides have different accounts of what it shows.
Crozier said the two Newfies who attacked Roxi were sold to a New York buyer the day of the attack. Tkacz said she had paperwork showing the dogs have their shots.
Oxford quarantined four of Tkacz’ dogs found at her home — two who allegedly participated in the attack, and two who did not.
The two who did not participate were returned to Tkacz, Crozier said.
So, of the four Newfoundlands at Jackson Cove, two are scheduled to be put down Aug. 24, while the remaining two are living in New York.
The two in New York could be put down if they are ever back in Connecticut.
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