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Hearing examiner admits prior testimony and evidence in Spokane Valley appeal over 'dangerous dog' designation
Summary
Hearing Examiner Andy Kotkamp admitted prior testimony and 20 exhibits into the record April 10 in the appeal of a dangerous-dog declaration for a dog named Juka. The dog's owner, Paula Bowes, did not appear; the dog remains impounded pending the examiner's written decision, due within 15 days.
Hearing Examiner Andy Kotkamp on April 10 admitted testimony from a November 7, 2024 hearing and 20 exhibits into the record in an appeal over a dangerous-dog designation for a dog named Juka, and closed public testimony while leaving the matter pending a written decision.
The decision concerns Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS) case number 73966 and stems from earlier incidents, including a July 17, 2022 event and a September 15, 2024 incident in which a child reported being scraped on the leg. Kotkamp said his written decision would be issued within 15 days and can be appealed to Spokane County Superior Court within 20 days.
Kotkamp opened the April 10 hearing by explaining that the case was a full remand and that he would consider newly offered evidence as well as testimony from the prior hearing. “I will have my decision within 15 days of this hearing,” Kotkamp told those present.
Caitlin Prenti, deputy city attorney for the City of Spokane Valley, told the examiner that Paula Bowes had appeared by telephone at the March 28 Superior Court proceeding and, according to Prenti, Bowes had said she “did not agree with it and she would not show up if it was remanded.” Prenti also told the examiner she attempted to call Bowes’ phone number on record (509-443-5070) multiple times the morning of April 10 and received an immediate busy signal.
SCRAPS Field Operations Manager Christopher Miller described service efforts. Miller said he emailed the notice of hearing on April 2, sent regular and certified mail on April 3, and that USPS tracking showed a delivery attempt on April 5 at 7:22 a.m. that the Postal Service reported as “being held, at the request of the customer.” Miller summarized the certified-mail tracking and explained the regular mail had not been returned.
Brittney Schaefer, the mother of the child identified in the SCRAPS file, testified about the September 15 incident. Schaefer said she was walking with her two children when two loose dogs approached; she described one as biting at shoes and “nibbling” at her daughter’s feet and said the child’s pants were torn and the skin was scraped. She said she visited Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital that evening and was treated with topical antibiotics. “I was scared. I was terrified,” Schaefer said.
SCRAPS officer Stephen Jackson testified about the agency’s investigation and service of the potentially dangerous- and dangerous-dog packets. Jackson described reviewing prior records, serving the declaration packet at Bowes’ residence, and taking custody of Juka. He said Bowes refused to sign the dangerous-dog paperwork but “voluntarily turned the dog over to us,” and that the dog is being maintained at SCRAPS at the owner’s expense pending the appeal.
Kotkamp admitted 20 exhibits into the record for the remanded hearing; the admitted materials include the preliminary dangerous-dog declaration, service documents, SCRAPS incident and case files, photographs (including images of the alleged injury and clothing), the dog’s kennel card, certified-mail receipts and tracking, witness statements and prior hearing transcripts. Kotkamp also admitted prior testimony from Paula Bowes and three witnesses from the November 7, 2024 hearing (Diane Ingham, Geraldine Craft and Bowes’ prior testimony) for use in the remanded proceeding. SCRAPS staff noted that admitting the prior testimony means Bowes would not be able to cross-examine those witnesses at this session because she was not present.
Kotkamp closed the public-record portion of the hearing at about 9:52 a.m. and directed that his written decision be sent to city staff for service; Mary Ann Lemons, administrative assistant for the building and planning department, said the city would return-receipt mail the decision and could also email it. The examiner reiterated appeal deadlines, citing Spokane Valley municipal code provisions related to dangerous-dog appeals.
The hearing record now includes the admitted exhibits and testimony. Kotkamp cautioned that if the case is appealed again the record and service information may be reviewed by the court.
