UPDATE (4/4): The Prairie Village City Council ruled against naming Rocky a "dangerous animal" and owner Bernard Cline will get to keep him without restrictions.
Cline said he plans to work to keep other dogs in his neighborhood safe from Rocky.
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ORIGINAL STORY
A dog is in danger of being euthanized after it killed another dog in a backyard fight in late February.
On Monday, the Prairie Village City Council will determine whether or not “Rocky” is a “dangerous animal”. If city leaders determine the dog to be officially dangerous, he could possibly be euthanized.
The fight happened Feb. 29 in a backyard on Rainbow Road.
According to Taylor Moore and Andrew Smith, their dog, Ollie, was attacked after they let the dog run around in their backyard.
“[The other dog] pushed under the fence, grabbed Ollie, put him in its mouth, and shook him back and forth," explained Smith, who said they bought the dog as a Christmas present last year. “We later found out his spine was broken. From there, there wasn't any choice. We had to put him down."
At 10 on @41ActionNews: this dog is in danger of being euthanized after he killed another dog in a fight. pic.twitter.com/R7l1fyJPIE
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) April 4, 2016
After the fight and death of Ollie, Moore says she is now afraid of the neighbor's dog.
"I'm not going to bring my daughter back there as long as those dogs are back there."
Rocky is the name of the other dog. As a result of the fight and Ollie's death, Rocky may be considered a dangerous animal by the city.
For Rocky's owner Bernard Cline, that could either mean thousands of dollars in insurance increases and fees or Rocky being euthanized.
Prairie Village CC decides if dog is a "dangerous animal" tomorrow. At 10, hear from his owner about what's at stake pic.twitter.com/i0bFsapwid
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) April 4, 2016
Cline said Rocky is not dangerous.
"He's just a great family dog," he said. "He likes to snuggle up with family members."
He said if the dog is deemed dangerous, the penalties and possible euthanization could be too much to bear.
"We're just hoping they also take into consideration the loss it would be in our family," he said.
Despite their dog's death, Moore and Smith hope the City Council can look beyond the fight.
"I hope they make the decision off the dog's past, not just one instance," Smith said.
Prairie Village dog kills another dog in fight. Now attacking dog may be euthanized. Hear more of the store at 10pm pic.twitter.com/N4Bau5dr7R
— Tom Dempsey (@KCTomDempsey) April 4, 2016
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at tom.dempsey@kshb.com.
