After deadly wolf‑dog attacks, McMinnville officials impound animals and say code changes are coming

Multiple McMinnville residents described recent attacks by large wolf‑dog animals, and urged the City Council to strengthen enforcement and penalties during public comment at the council’s meeting.

“After hearing testimony from others… I am continuing to be shocked and deeply disgusted by her conduct as an animal owner and neighbor,” resident Elizabeth Hegday said, recounting police reports she said document prior bites, escapes and injuries. She read an officer’s account of a December 2022 attack and asked the city to change laws and procedures to better protect people and pets.

Several other residents recounted personal losses. Mike Strickland said his cat was killed on March 23 and said unpaid citations and a lack of enforcement allowed repeated offenses: “According to my conversation with city officials, nothing has been paid,” he said, describing unpaid fines and a lien placed on the owner’s property. Another neighbor, Jeff Tucker, said his dog suffered injuries after a similar incident and said the animals’ size and behavior pose a danger to children and neighbors.

City Attorney David Lisonbee told the council the response has two distinct legal tracks: prosecution for the March attacks and a broader policy review. He said the city “has been able to procure a warrant and impound the dogs” and that the animals “will not be released before a judge rules on these cases.” Lisonbee added that the statutory code used for immediate prosecution provides tools staff are using, but that longer‑term preventive measures — limits on number and breed restrictions or clearer owner requirements — will require careful legal review.

Police Chief Mike Wood said staff will propose code cleanup and additional enforcement tools. “You'll be seeing some recommendations from [the city attorney] and I for cleanup of the code, additions to the code, some tools that we think that are helpful to us, in enforcing dog owner behavior within the city,” he told the council, and said recommendations could include elevating some violations to criminal charges rather than municipal code infractions.

Residents asked for faster, firmer action. Several urged dedicated dog‑control enforcement or renewed county‑level animal control services, stiffer penalties for repeat offenders, and clearer options for restitution to victims. Stacy Mayhew, whose chickens and other birds were killed in one attack, asked that the city “put this on the front burner” and proposed licensing, enforcement staffing and secure temporary holding for dangerous animals.

What officials said they would do: Lisonbee and Chief Wood said they are reviewing enforcement tools and preparing proposed ordinance changes. Lisonbee cautioned that preventative ordinances require careful drafting and time; Chief Wood said staff will recommend code language and that enforcement options could include criminal charges. The criminal cases arising from the March incident, Lisonbee said, are moving forward with the animals impounded under warrant while court proceedings continue.

The council did not take an immediate policy vote during the meeting; staff said they will return with proposed code revisions and enforcement options.