Klamath County finds Powell's dog guilty of wounding goats; owner fined $855 and ordered to confine animals

Klamath County commissioners on Thursday found that a dog owned by John M. Powell was guilty of wounding livestock after testimony from the complainant, neighbors and a deputy. The board voted unanimously to find the dog guilty and later approved fines and conditions for the owner to retrieve the animal from impound.

The decision followed testimony that Wendy Winger's goats were injured after a dog or dogs entered her fenced pasture on April 11. "I'm 70 years old. I live alone. I do everything in my power to protect my animals," Winger told the board as she described finding one goat with bite marks and another that had to be carried down from the pasture. A county deputy said he observed cuts and lacerations on the goats and later impounded the dog identified by neighbors as belonging to Powell.

The board heard multiple witnesses. Tom Dezerville said, "The goats were so traumatized. I had to literally carry 1 from the top of the pasture down to the barn," and a neighbor, Dina Bonzer, testified the dog had been loose previously and had chased children and wildlife. Powell told the board he has been improving fencing and "I'll be financially responsible for it and all that stuff," he said, and said he was working on further fencing and concrete barrier to keep dogs contained.

During deliberations, county counsel read the livestock-hearing standard the board uses to infer dog involvement. The reading referenced a "disputable presumption" that arises if a dog is found chasing livestock in an area where freshly damaged livestock are found or if other listed criteria are met. The board found the standard satisfied.

The board imposed the following: animal-control fees assessed by staff (reported on the record as $355), impound boarding of $15 per day for 18 days (reported as $270), microchip fee $15, license $20, and a civil penalty set by the board at $500. The commissioners voted to require Powell, if he chooses to retrieve the dog from Animal Control, to pay the $855 in fines and fees, sign an affidavit to confine all of his dogs so they cannot run at large or cause harm to people or animals, and to work with Animal Control on reclaiming the animal. The board noted that repeat violations would increase penalties and could require humane euthanasia under the county code and cited state statute discussed in the hearing.

All motions passed on unanimous recorded voice votes; the chair cast an affirmative vote and the other commissioners signified "aye." The commissioners also discussed community safety, with a commissioner saying they were troubled that neighbors reported being afraid to let children walk from the bus stop because of the loose dog.

The hearing record remains with Animal Control and the county counsel; the board closed the matter after issuing the order and directing staff to prepare the necessary paperwork for Animal Control to process the retrieval if Powell complies with the conditions.

Ending: The board concluded the time-certain hearing and moved on to other agenda items.