Evansville panel finds "Big Dude" a dangerous dog after two attacks near Delaware Elementary

The Evansville Animal Control Commission declared a dog known as "Big Dude" a dangerous animal after hearing evidence of two dog-on-dog attacks — including video from a school secretary — and reviewing animal control bite reports covering March and April 2025.

Ashley McKeown, secretary at Delaware Elementary School, presented surveillance video the school captured showing a dog leaving a fenced yard, crossing a street and attacking a leashed dog on April 8 and again on April 15, 2025. "I was afraid it was one of our kiddos," McKeown told the commission, describing how she and school staff ran outside and intervened. McKeown saved video and provided it to animal control; she also produced a canine tooth she said was recovered from a victim dog after one of the incidents.

Owner Stephen Bell, who identified the dog as Big Dude and said he had owned the animal about six months, acknowledged he had pulled his dog free during the episodes and that the animal had previously fought with other male dogs. Bell said Big Dude is about one year old, not yet neutered and that he would pursue training and additional control measures; he told the commission he has since moved to a new address with a secure fenced area.

Animal control staff told the commission there are two documented bite reports involving Big Dude (March 30 and an April report) and noted officers had difficulty obtaining owner cooperation during an earlier response. The animal control officer said staff had quarantined the dog during the investigation and that a current rabies vaccination record had not been confirmed in the file.

Decision and sanctions: after discussion, the commission voted to declare Big Dude a dangerous dog but found no serious bodily injury to a human under the municipal code definition. The board imposed a set of restrictions drawn from the code: immediate registration with animal control; secured confinement that prevents escape; leash requirements off property; warning signs on front and back of the property; spay/neuter unless medically contraindicated; permanent identification (microchip or tattoo); and fines and reimposition of conditions if further incidents occur. The commission also explained humane destruction is only authorized by code if a later incident causes serious bodily injury to a person.

Owner response: Bell said he plans to engage a trainer and consider a custom muzzle and additional containment measures. Animal control staff advised him of steps to retrieve the dog from quarantine once compliance requirements are met and reminded him that an owner may appeal the commission decision in Vanderburgh County court within 10 days.

Context: the commission's record includes the school secretary's video of the April events and animal control bite reports showing prior contacts in late March and mid-April. The commission weighed that documentation and witness testimony when deciding to classify Big Dude as dangerous.