A decision by the City of Dallas to euthanize two dogs this week has led to an “emotional roller coaster” and a court battle.
In June 2021, a resident next door to Lindsay Stafford complained to animal control that he had a scary experience with her two dogs. According to him, the dogs chewed through his backyard fence, subjecting him to vicious growling and leaving him “scared to death.”
After the complaint, Stafford was invited to appear before a judge in court to determine if the dogs should be deemed dangerous.
However, the court summons were met with no response, resulting in a ruling against the dogs. On September 21, 2021, the two dogs were declared dangerous.
In January, the dog owner said she suffered a cut to her hand as she attempted to separate her pets as they fought over food. Because the dogs were considered dangerous by the initial court declaration, Stafford’s injuries prompted animal control to seize the dogs, who are to be euthanized.
“It’s been kind of emotional roller coaster, just going home and not seeing them there, and knowing that they are just caged up for no good reason,” she shared.
Stafford must plead her case in a hearing before the dogs are scheduled to be put down, where a judge will determine if they may be spared.
The pet owner maintains that her dogs have not attacked anyone, arguing the decision to kill them is an administrative oversight.
According to Stafford, her two dogs, pit bull mixes Suge White and Boopsie, do not pose a risk to people.
“I allow my 1-year-old grandchild around them,” she said. “I completely trust these dogs.”
Stafford further explained that the lack of response to the court appearances was not deliberate. According to her, the mailed notices about the court dates were addressed to her daughter, who moved away from home and were mistakenly left unopened.
