Two dogs attacked a man and a girl in Louisville Monday night; LMPD officers killed both dogs for the victim’s safety.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A man and an 8-year-old girl were attacked by two dogs Monday night in the Algonquin neighborhood.
Both were bitten several times and have serious injuries.
When Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers got to the scene, both dogs were still there. LMPD says an officer shot and killed one of the dogs, fearing for the victim’s safety. The other dog ran away, but was found nearby and also shot and killed by an officer.
“I know one of the officers very, very well,” LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey said. “I know it does not make him feel good to have to shoot a dog, but at the same time, they saved a man’s life.”
Humphrey says the officers have body-worn camera footage and the dog breeds are believed to be a Pitbull mix.
As for the owner of the dogs, who was later located by police, former Jefferson County prosecutor and attorney Nick Mudd says criminal liability for the owners in these situation is “really minimal in Kentucky.”
He says the victims could sue the owner for hospital bills, pain and suffering and emotional distress.
“Unfortunately, if the person who owned the dogs doesn’t have money to pay that, which normally they don’t, and they don’t have homeowners insurance, these two individuals that were attacked, unfortunately, are left to foot the bill,” Mudd said.
However, there may be a viable avenue for victims if the owner’s dog has hurt people before.
“if you have a dog, and it’s a dangerous dog and it will attack people, and that dog is allowed to get out, there is a possibility the county attorney here and or the Commonwealth’s attorney could look at filing wanton endangerment charges against the owner of the dog,” Mudd said.
Chief Humphrey says he believes charges to the owner are warranted.
“In my opinion, I think they should. You need to be responsible for your animals and what they do. It’s not fair to your neighbor, it’s not fair to those animals,” he said.
Animal welfare advocate Tara Bassett has been working to get dogs off the streets in Louisville for decades.
“The number of dogs that are running loose in this city at any given time are exponentially greater than they ever were even five to 10 years ago,” she said.
Bassett cites a lack of education from dogs’ owners on how to keep them safe and secure.
“Snip-chip-tag-contain,” she said. “Neuter your pets, microchip your pets, and keep your information updated. Put a collar with a tag with your current number on the dog, and for the love of heaven, contain your dogs. Put them in a fence that is secure, or walk them on a leash.”
At this time, no charges have been made.
Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) Control Officers will continue to investigate. They told WHAS11 they do not comment on ongoing investigations.
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