Evansville commission declares two dogs dangerous, imposes containment and sterilization requirements

The Evansville Animal Control and Education Commission on Jan. 14, 2025, declared two dogs — identified by their owners as Apollo and Princess — dangerous after testimony that a group of dogs had attacked and killed neighborhood cats and scratched a resident.

The commission's action requires the animals' owner to register the dogs with animal control, arrange spaying or neutering at the owner's expense, implant permanent identification (microchips), and keep the animals contained and attended; further incidents would allow the commission to impose additional measures, including fines or other restrictions. The commission also ordered that the dogs remain at animal control until a secure fence is completed at the owner’s property and gave the owner seven days to report progress to animal control.

Why it matters: Commission members cited repeated reports from neighbors, video described as low quality but corroborated by multiple witnesses, and a pattern of dogs leaving their yard and killing cats as justification for declaring the two animals dangerous under the Evansville Code (Section 6.05). The decision imposes conditions aimed at reducing the risk of future attacks on pets and people in the neighborhood.

The hearing began after the…