PORT TOWNSEND – Two pit bulls that attacked two goats were euthanized on Monday at the Jefferson County Animal Services facility in Port Townsend.
The dogs were euthanized after one of the goats died and the dog’s owner could not afford the measures required by state law.
Initially, it had appeared both goats would survive the July 24 attacks.
But a veterinarian found that one of the goats had an untreatable punctured lung and was put to sleep, said Jefferson County Undersheriff Tim Perry.
The owner of the pit bulls, Ray Anibas, a resident of 1530 S. Discovery Road, was originally cited with having animals at large and injuring property, both misdemeanors, said Perry.
But when they learned that one of the goats had died as a result of its injuries, Animal Services deputies went to Anibas’ home to have him relinquish the dogs on Monday, Perry said.
An option permitted in the state law regarding dangerous dogs would have permitted Anibas to keep the dogs.
It would have entailed a $250 dangerous dog licensing fee and a $250,000 bond to the county in case the dogs attacked another animal or human in the future.
He also would have had to build a fenced, cement dog run and keep the dogs inside it, Perry said.
“The owner decided he couldn’t afford it, so we euthanized them,” Perry said.
That’s the protocol when domesticated animals kill pets or livestock, he said.
The pit bulls went onto Scott Piper’s property at 1473 Discovery Road at about 5:45 a.m. July 24, and attacked two cashmere goats.
Piper heard the attack and ran the dogs off his property.
It was the fourth pit bull attack in Jefferson County this year.
In February, a pit bull that broke its collar clip and escaped from its back yard on F Street in Port Townsend bit a schnauzer, which required $2,000 of surgery.
The owner of the F Street pit bull was issued a citation.
In March, a pit bull escaped from a truck that was parked at the Jefferson County courthouse in Port Townsend and headed for a pack of five deer, tearing the ear off one of the deer.
The dog’s owner was not cited but instead was given a warning.
And in May, two pit bulls were euthanized after attacking two Pomeranian dogs in Quilcene.
The two small dogs required veterinary care.
