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Commission declares dog "Zylus" dangerous after officer bitten and household dog killed; owners given restrictions
Summary
The Evansville Animal Control & Education Commission declared Zylus a dangerous animal after testimony that the dog had bitten an animal-control officer in February and later killed a household dog on April 11 at a Park Street residence.
The Evansville Animal Control & Education Commission declared a dog named Zylus a dangerous animal after hearing testimony about multiple incidents at a residence on Park Street. Animal Control presented a complaint alleging two separate incidents: a February incident in which an animal-control officer was bitten while conducting a welfare check, and an April 11 incident in which Zylus allegedly killed another household dog at 916 Park Street. Animal Control reported a history of welfare and crowding concerns at the address dating back to 2019 and said multiple animals were removed and later reclaimed after quarantine in February.
Animal Control officer testimony summarized in the record stated that during the February visit an officer was bitten when attempting to remove or secure Zylus in the interior of the home; the officer received medical treatment and recovered. The commission read statements and received live testimony from household members, including owner Melissa Keith and a resident, Zachary Carr. Carr said Zylus “is really a good dog” and said the dog had been scared and reacted to being handled in the home. Owner Melissa Keith said she and family members had been trying to move to different housing and that puppies had recently been born in the household; she said the family planned to move on the upcoming Monday and planned to get veterinary care and neuter Zylus promptly.
Commissioners discussed two lines of concern: (1) whether the incidents met the municipal definitions for a dangerous animal and for “serious bodily injury,” and (2) how to reduce risk to the community if the owner retained the animal. Commissioners acknowledged the property’s history of overcrowding and poor conditions, that Zylus had previously been involved in a bite to an officer and that a small dog had been killed in the residence. The commission voted to declare Zylus a dangerous animal (motion by Linda; second Lisa) and later voted that the officer’s injury did not meet the municipal code definition of “serious bodily injury.”
After the dangerous-animal finding the commission imposed specific conditions under Evansville Municipal Code section 6.05.015(e) including: a requirement that Zylus be kept within a locked fenced area when outdoors and unattended; a requirement to keep Zylus leashed and under the control of a person 18 or older when outdoors; posting of warning signs at the front and back of the home; neutering (or spaying) at the owner’s expense before reclaiming the animal; permanent identification via tattoo or microchip; and applicable fines for failure to comply. The commission also requested follow-up inspections by Animal Control to confirm compliance and noted that further incidents could prompt additional measures, up to and including destruction of the animal under the municipal code.
The owner was advised how to reclaim or transfer the animal consistent with the imposed restrictions and reminded that an appeal is available within 10 days. Animal Control retained statements and exhibits as part of the record.
