First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers has submitted a news release stating that the two dogs which will be put down. She said the owner of the dogs has been uncooperative with town officials and has not tried to reach a restraing order/consent agreement with the town. Therefore, the decision was made to put down the two Newfoundlands.
Here is the full news release from Drayton-Rogers:
Every attempt has been made to work with Vicki Tkacz’ Attorney and our legal counsel to resolve this matter since the attack and killing of a dog at Jackson’s Cove Park two weeks ago.
The owner of the four Newfoundland’s involved has continued to be uncooperative and earlier removed two of the dogs to an out-of-state location immediately following the attack.
On the final day of a 14 day quarantine for four of the other dogs, she once again left the state and did not sign a Restraint Order/Consent Agreement which had been worked out between the Town’s Attorney and her own hired Counsel.
The Restraint Order/Consent Agreement would have kept six of her dogs out of all parks in Oxford, penned, muzzled, identified and under control at all times and off the streets of Oxford. State and local Animal Control offices had supplied input for the conditions of the Restraint Order. Safety of town residents, their pets and users of Oxford’s trails and parks would have been protected from these animals in that way. Due to the lack of Restraint Order/Consent Agreement, Oxford Animal Control issued Disposal Orders for the destruction of the two dogs in quarantine that were involved in the attack, as well as the out-of-state dogs.
“Unfortunately it has come to this because of the owner’s recklessness in handling her dogs and the uncooperative response she has had to the horrific action that took place against another animal at our park," Drayton-Rogers said. "Several complaints have been lodged against the owner in the past and more have surfaced since this unfortunate incident has been made public. In the best interest and safety of all concerned, and after every attempt to work with the owner, the town is left with no alternative but to see that these animals are put down.”
Patrick Severson continues to undergo treatment for rabies at this time and suffered the loss of a family pet due to the actions of Tkacz’ dogs. “I have viewed the video of the attack and that incident stays imbedded in my mind," Drayton-Rogers said.
