Problem Solver: Animal Control Issues Citations

Two pit bulls on the run in Spartanburg County take the life of an Upstate family's dog. The family says one of the worst parts about it was Animal Control wouldn't hold the owner of the dogs accountable. Dianne Derby helps get the family the justice they deserve but we want to warn you some of the images in this story are difficult to watch. It's a 7 On Your Side Problem Solver.

The only pictures the Cooke family has of their newly rescued dog, Buddy, are these final moments of his life. They say he was attacked in their backyard by their neighbors two pit bulls.

"It was unreal to see something like that," said Tim Cooke. "It was awful."

Cooke says his kids had just gotten on the school bus when he got a call from another neighbor who saw the whole thing happen.

"What if it was a kid because children were waiting on school bus and all," said neighbor Mark Revels. "I just did what I could to save my neighbor's dog."

And if losing his dog is such a brutal way wasn't bad enough, Cooke says Animal Control wouldn't hold the owners responsible.

"They're supposed to be there to handle things like this and you think they would and they would not," said Cooke. "Until I contacted you is the only way I got any help with this at all."

So we made sure they got the help they needed and continued to push for answers each time the Cooke family contacted us.

When asked why it took so long to find the owner to issue a citation Spartanburg County Environmental Enforcement Supervisor Sgt. James Nelson said, "What took place is the officer that initially responds was on call and didn't work the area and it was since given to another officer who went to the wrong house and then we were able to locate the owners and issue the citations."

Nelson says the follow-up investigation was not as good as it could have been.

When asked what they are doing to make sure something like this doesn't happen again Nelson replied, "We have done a better job on our documentation of exactly which officer went and the location he went to."

So how did this all happen? We spoke with the dog's owner, Elizabeth Pierce, who says she and her husband weren't even home when the dogs somehow got out of this pen. She says she is sorry her dogs killed Buddy. Now she's left with a more than $700 in fines and only the memory of her dogs.

"I went to the shelter and signed the dogs over to be put down because I wasn't bringing them back here for that to happen again," said Pierce.

It's a step the Cooke family hopes will keep someone else from facing the same tragedy.

"Protect these dogs the best you can," said Cooke. "Keep a lookout. We didn't even know these dogs were running loose."

Remember animal owners often are liable for their pet's actions. In Spartanburg County they're required by law to be on a leash or under restraint at all times. If not, you could face a fines and the costs for impounding the animal. For more information about laws in your area contact your local animal control department.