rockin'robin
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Ordinance Says Dog That Attacked Boy Must Be Put Down
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- When you think of dangerous dogs, a 14-pound shih tzu probably isn't at the top of your list.
But St. Johns County has deemed Cyrus a dangerous animal, and he's now facing death because of it.
"We can't distinguish between the breed of dog it was, even though it was a small dog," St. Johns County spokeswoman Karen Pan said. "It doesn't matter if it was a large dog, small dog."
Pan said Cyrus demonstrated his aggressive tendencies in April when he attacked a 5-year-old boy.
According to a court document, the boy was playing in his front yard when the dog darted out of a nearby house. The boy's mother watched Cyrus bite the boy on the head and on the arm.
"Ten stitches he required on the back of his ear," Pan said. "Also, he had marks on his arm, so the dog had attacked in more than one location."
The county ordinance says any dog that attacks a victim above the neck is considered a dangerous dog and must be destroyed.
Philip Stoddard is looking for a stay of execution.
Stoddard is a self-proclaimed dog lover who took over ownership of Cyrus after the attack. He said the county's dangerous dog ordinance is unconstitutional and that there is not enough evidence to prove that Cyrus is dangerous to anyone.
"I just felt a moral responsibility to see that Cyrus gets a good, loving home," said Stoddard, who laughed when asked if he thought Cyrus was a dangerous dog. "They're about the most cuddly breed of dog you can possibly imagine."
Stoddard said he is filing an appeal with the county to try to save Cyrus. He said he is also filing a suit against St. Johns County because he believes the dog ordinance violates the Constitution.
'Dangerous' Shih Tzu Faces Death - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- When you think of dangerous dogs, a 14-pound shih tzu probably isn't at the top of your list.
But St. Johns County has deemed Cyrus a dangerous animal, and he's now facing death because of it.
"We can't distinguish between the breed of dog it was, even though it was a small dog," St. Johns County spokeswoman Karen Pan said. "It doesn't matter if it was a large dog, small dog."
Pan said Cyrus demonstrated his aggressive tendencies in April when he attacked a 5-year-old boy.
According to a court document, the boy was playing in his front yard when the dog darted out of a nearby house. The boy's mother watched Cyrus bite the boy on the head and on the arm.
"Ten stitches he required on the back of his ear," Pan said. "Also, he had marks on his arm, so the dog had attacked in more than one location."
The county ordinance says any dog that attacks a victim above the neck is considered a dangerous dog and must be destroyed.
Philip Stoddard is looking for a stay of execution.
Stoddard is a self-proclaimed dog lover who took over ownership of Cyrus after the attack. He said the county's dangerous dog ordinance is unconstitutional and that there is not enough evidence to prove that Cyrus is dangerous to anyone.
"I just felt a moral responsibility to see that Cyrus gets a good, loving home," said Stoddard, who laughed when asked if he thought Cyrus was a dangerous dog. "They're about the most cuddly breed of dog you can possibly imagine."
Stoddard said he is filing an appeal with the county to try to save Cyrus. He said he is also filing a suit against St. Johns County because he believes the dog ordinance violates the Constitution.
'Dangerous' Shih Tzu Faces Death - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville
