Evansville panel finds Deacon not dangerous after neighbor's dog killed 16-year-old pet

The Evansville Animal Control and Education Commission found a dog named Deacon not to be a dangerous animal after a hearing prompted by a March 2, 2025 complaint that Deacon had been involved in the death of a neighbor’s dog.

The finding came after the commission first voted that there was probable cause to hold a hearing and then heard testimony from the complainant, witnesses and the dog’s owners. Assistant City Attorney Andrew Boykin moderated the proceedings and instructed the panel on its authority under city code. "I am not the judge of any evidence presented today, but am solely acting as the moderator. You can think of me as a a referee," he told the room.

Why it matters: Commission determinations about ‘‘dangerous’’ animals can carry orders that affect whether an owner may keep a dog, whether the dog may be reclaimed, and whether the animal must be euthanized. The panel’s decision affects the owners’ rights and the neighborhood’s safety expectations.

At…