Two rottweilers accused of killing neighbor's goat (Millstone Twshp, NJ)

[Rene Allegrini]

After three prior attacks on the neighbor's goat, do you THINK that Mr. Lannon should have taken some kind of precaution to prevent this horrible incident? My God, some people are just plain STUPID!


APP.COM - Two dogs accused of killing neighbor's goat | Asbury Park Press Online


Owners due to appear in court May 1

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 04/24/07
BY JOSEPH SAPIA
FREEHOLD BUREAU

MILLSTONE TOWNSHIP — A Municipal Court case in which two dogs are accused of killing a goat on a neighboring property in February could wrap up next week.

Lawrence Lannon of Pinehill Road is due in court May 1 to face two counts of violating the state's "potentially dangerous dog" law, said Mary Klink, the area animal control officer who filed the charges.

On Feb. 23, Craig Buttcher, who shares a driveway with Lannon and another Pinehill Road resident, reported finding Lannon's two adult Rottweilers at the goat's body, with blood on the dogs, Klink said. Lannon got the dogs — Boy, a male, and Nikki, a female — off the goat, Klink said.

"I think the state will have difficulty proving the elements," said Lannon's lawyer, Matthew W. Reisig of Freehold. "We will not give in. There's problems (with the case). And I'm going to exploit every last one of them."
Reisig declined to discuss details, including his legal strategy. But no one, apparently, witnessed the goat being attacked, Klink said.

However, Klink also expressed confidence in winning the case.

The two Rottweilers have a reputation of being aggressive, they were at the scene and "they had injured the animal (goat) three times prior and that was witnessed," by Buttcher or a friend of Buttcher's, Klink said.

To think the two Rottweilers wandered upon an already attacked animal or that the goat was the aggressor is "nonsense," Klink said.

An autopsy of the goat, conducted by Freehold veterinarian Robert H. Cohen, found it to have numerous wounds, have been completely disemboweled and have had complete blood loss, according to paperwork on the case.

"Apparently, more than one predator was required to achieve this total amount of damage," according to Cohen's report.

Klink, who responded after being called by State Police, confiscated the dogs at the scene, she said. The dogs are now being held at Popcorn Park Zoo in Lacey, Klink said.

If Lannon loses the case, he faces a fine of up to $1,000 on each count, according to the law. Also, according to Klink, he would owe the township about $3,000 in autopsy, veterinarian and boarding expenses, Klink said.
If found guilty, Lannon could still get the dogs back if he pays $500 each for a potentially dangerous dog license, maintained a secure kennel and properly posted the property, kept the dogs muzzled when out of the kennel and obtained $1 million in liability insurance on each dog, Klink said.

Violating the restrictions would result in the dogs being immediately seized and then euthanized, Klink said. Or, if found guilty, Lannon could surrender the dogs to the township, Klink said. In that case, they would be euthanized, she added.

If Lannon wins the case, he gets his dogs back, Klink said, and he would not face any restrictions.

Neither Buttcher nor Lannon could be reached for comment.

APP.COM - Two dogs accused of killing neighbor's goat | Asbury Park Press Online

[hokisteph5]

I don't know about this one, other than the Rottweiler's reputation once again is tarnished.