Animal Services reminds residents of dog laws following several attacks

Idaho Falls Animal Service is investigating a series of dog attacks in a neighborhood south of Pinecrest Golf Course. Animal Service says that during summer months, the number of attacks increases.

“Now that the weather is warming up, we are going to have a little bit more of an increase in dog bites. It just seems to be that way,” Animal Services Officer Kerry Watts said. “In the wintertime, we will get a few. When it starts to warm up, people will have holes in their fences and dogs will start to get out.”

In Idaho Falls, the owner can be held responsible if a loose dog attacks someone.

“Should a dog attack and kill somebody’s pet, then the person that owns that dog could be in the middle of a lawsuit,” Watts said.

Watts has responded to two dog bite calls in the past few days. One of them was from an Idaho Falls man who was attacked for the second time on Friday.

The second attack occurred on “a bright, sunny day while walking our dog,” Mike Collett said.

Collett said the attacking dog was after his eight-year-old dog. Collett was able to protect his dog, Sox, but was bitten on his forearm, leaving bruises and puncture wounds. Animal Services said the owner of the pit bull knew the dog, who is sweet with humans, had aggressive tendencies with other animals.

“Dog owners need to make sure that their dogs are properly trained and they know the dog’s behavior and if they know the dog’s behavior is a little more aggressive, they need to take those precautions,” Watts said.

The attack on Friday was the second time Collett and his family were attacked by a pit bull. In March, another family dog, Koda, was killed when attacked.

“A month later it has not got any easier with Koda’s passing,” Collett said. “It is like a little piece of us has died. They become your family.”

In both cases, the attacking dog was not on a chain. In only one of the incidents was the dog behind a fence but was still able to break loose. Collett said he does not blame the breed but puts accountability on dog owners.

“Pit bulls are not bad dogs,” Collett said. “Not all pit bulls are bad dogs. The first pit bull attack that we had was not a bad dog and I stand by that statement. Save yourself the heartache. Save other people the heartache. Don’t take chances.”

If your pet is able to break loose, Animal Services said it is the owner’s responsibility to get the animal under control. If you come face-to-face with an aggressive dog, you are encouraged to stand your ground and not to run.