The Lafayette Board of Works on Sept. 9 denied an appeal by Mohammed and Danica Payne to return a pit bull, Chevelle (also called Chevy), that was seized Aug. 28 after an attack that left a small dog euthanized.
The board heard testimony from animal-control officers and reviewed veterinary records. Jackie Cost, city attorney, presided over the appeal hearing.
The board’s animal-control officer, Mitchell Birchfield, said the victim dog, identified in records as Django, suffered “multiple punctures, bruises, and possible fracture on the pelvis and spine,” and that the dog was later euthanized at Purdue Small Animal Clinic because of a poor prognosis. Birchfield said the initial 911 report indicated the incident occurred Aug. 27 and that the victim owners were reluctant to come forward.
Birchfield said Chevelle was unrestrained in the front yard when the animals met and that after the encounter the owner and another person had to pry the dogs apart. “Anytime that there is a dog that is, killed by another dog, it's deemed a dangerous activity, and we would like to quarantine first off and then just to protect the public,” Birchfield testified.
Mohammed, who identified himself as a resident of 2117 Arapahoe Drive, acknowledged Chevelle was not leashed that day and described the dog as normally obedient. He asked the board for leniency and said, “Give me a chance to get it right,” adding that he would comply with leash and restraint rules going forward.
After discussion the board moved to deny the appeal. The motion was seconded and the board voted in favor; no opposing votes were recorded on the record. City staff told Mohammed and Payne after the hearing that animal-control staff would meet with them to explain next steps.
The decision was an administrative ruling on the appeal; the board’s stated basis was the severity of the victim dog’s injuries and the city’s animal-control standards.