Pennsylvania

Stray Dogs Being Held at Home Kill Delco Family's Pet

A Darby Borough family is in mourning after their dog was attacked and killed by two stray Rottweilers that they claim local animal control officers asked them to hold.

Neomia Green told investigators some of her relatives found a Rottweiler that was wandering in the Darby Borough around 10 p.m. Thursday. The relatives took the dog to Green’s house and she called police, telling them she was willing to hold the animal but wanted to report it in case someone was looking for him.

Darby Borough Police later arrived at Green’s home and told her the dog would have to be taken in as a stray. The officers also told her she’d have the chance to adopt the Rottweiler if he wasn’t claimed by an owner after 72 hours. Police then notified the Delaware County Animal Control to report the stray dog, according to the Chester County SPCA (CCSPCA). 

Upon their arrival, Green told the animal control officers she’d be interested in adopting the dog if the owner couldn’t be found. At this time another Rottweiler was found in the area and taken to Green’s home.

The animal control officer allegedly told Green she could keep the first Rottweiler at her house as long as she could hold both dogs since it appeared they were together and it was against policy for them to be separated. Green claims she also heard the animal control officer tell police it would be better if she held the dogs at her home because it would save the municipality $500.

Green told the CCSPCA she decided to hold both dogs in her home because the Delaware County Animal Control told her to do so. She provided the Rottweilers with food and water in order to keep them away from her small 10-year-old blind Pekingese dog Louie.

Around midnight Friday, Green’s granddaughter entered the basement to walk the stray dogs when the larger Rottweiler pushed past her, broke the basement door and began attacking Louie, the CCSPCA said. The smaller Rottweiler joined in the attack as well.

Green told the CCSPCA she was able to move the smaller Rottweiler by grabbing his collar and placing him in a different room. She was unable to stop the larger Rottweiler however and was knocked over by the dog as she tried to save Louie.

“We couldn’t believe what happened because they told us that the dogs weren’t violent dogs or anything like that,” said Maurice Haugabook, Green’s fiancé.

Green’s granddaughter called Darby Borough Police. When they arrived the family told them the larger Rottweiler killed Louie and was guarding his body. Police then contacted the Delaware County Animal Control and the family waited outside for nearly two hours for the animal control officers to arrive, according to the CCSPCA. Green claimed she could see the stray dog through the window lying on top of Louie as they waited.

Green said she then received a call from the animal control officer she had spoken to earlier and was told to release the stray dogs outside since they didn’t belong to her. When the animal control officer arrived at the scene, Green claims he asked her if she was still willing to hold the stray dogs in her home. Green then requested the stray dogs be removed from her house as quickly as possible and the animal control officer told her they would be moved to a fenced area, according to the CCSPCA.

The CCSPCA picked up both stray dogs from the Darby Borough Police station Friday and transported them to a shelter facility in West Chester as officials investigated the death of Green’s dog. The Rottweilers were later reclaimed by their owner who was cited for having dangerous dogs.

CCSPCA officials say they are contracted with the Delaware County Animal Protection Board to serve as the state-approved and licensed stray dog boarding facility for Delaware County municipalities. Under Pennsylvania state law, stray dogs must be transported to an approved and licensed boarding facility after being picked up by police officers, according to the CCSPCA.

NBC10 spoke to Gerard Schrom, a lawyer for the Delaware County Animal Control, about the allegations from Green and CCSPCA.

“It does not appear as though Delaware County Animal Control did anything other than act carefully, consistently and in a caring manner,” he said.

Schrom told NBC10 the animal control officer warned the family and even offered to introduce all the dogs to avoid an issue. The CCSPCA says the public should not be holding a stray brought by animal control however.

“Unfortunately they really put the animal owner in harm’s way by asking them to hold two unknown dogs,” said Adam Lamb, a CCSPCA spokesman. 

The CCSPCA told NBC10 they have stopped taking any animals from Delaware County Animal Control as the investigation continues. They also recently submitted a formal complaint to the Dog Law Enforcement Bureau concerning the Animal Control's handling of stray animals.

The owner of the Animal Control is suing the CCSPCA, claiming they are conspiring to put him out of business.

Green told NBC10 her granddaughter can’t sleep after witnessing the death of her dog and she herself has had trouble processing what happened.

“I’m getting choked up now,” Green said. “That’s why I’m having him [her fiancé] talk because I can’t deal with it.”

Green and her family are now adopting a new dog after the death of their beloved pet.

 

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