A Sacramento County hearing officer has decided that two pit bull terriers involved in an attack on Sacramento Municipal Utility District worker Tim Tillman should be put to death – if officials ever catch up with them.
Brutus and Smokey were sprung from their cages at the county animal shelter a few days after a hearing July 3.
The decision released by Sacramento County animal control officials Wednesday calls for them to be humanely destroyed. In reaching her decision, Karyl L. Marsh, a county hearing officer, noted that "a preponderance of evidence" indicates that Brutus and Smokey are vicious animals and a danger to the general public. Marsh also states that their owner Cynthia Peters, knew this "and made no substantial effort to prevent the attack."
Responding to an inquiry from the Bee late Tuesday afternoon, Marsh said that she did not know about the jail break at the county animal shelter.
"My last understanding was that they were impounded at the county shelter," Marsh said. "If they are no longer there, the order would still be in effect."
County animal control officials said they have referred the case involving the missing dogs to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
The written decision by Marsh is nine pages long and notes that Peters had at least five statements from friends and neighbors supporting her dogs.
The incident occurred June 16 on Rye Way in Carmichael. Tillman escaped from Brutus and Smokey by diving into a passing mail truck.
Officials say Peters apparently has moved out of the house where the attack occurred.
Call The Bee's David Richie, (916) 608-7455.
