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Animal-shelter heist frees dogs that attacked worker
By David Richie - drichie@sacbee.com
Published 12:00 am PDT Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Story appeared in METRO section, Page B3
A Sacramento County hearing officer has not decided the fate of two pit bull terriers that attacked a utility company worker last month, but that decision may now be moot – Brutus and Smokey are on the run.
Someone got past the alarm system at the county's animal shelter during the early morning hours July 8 and took the two dogs out of their kennels, said Ruben Hernandez, senior animal control officer. The breakout occurred between 4 and 6 a.m., when staffing at the shelter is limited.
The case has been turned over to sheriff's investigators. Animal control officials decided to keep the incident quiet as part of their strategy to try to recover the dogs, Hernandez said.
Based on the aggressive nature of the two dogs, officials say they suspect it was their owner or her friends who decided to free them after a hearing July 3.
Evidence introduced during that proceeding included notes from a dog expert with the county's Department of Animal Care and Regulation. That expert noted that the dogs' behavior led him to believe they could not be approached.
"It had to be someone familiar with the dogs' behavior," Hernandez said. He said the dog owner and her boyfriend have cleared out of their home on Rye Way in Carmichael, where the dogs on June 16 attacked Tim Tillman, a Sacramento Municipal Utility District employee.
About the writer:
- Call The Bee's David Richie, (916) 608-7455.
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