The euthanization of two dogs found in abandoned South Bend home sparks controversy

SOUTH BEND — Last month, four dogs were found in an abandoned home on Westmoor Street in South Bend.

One dog was dead in a dog house outside. Two dogs were eating another dead dog inside the home.
 
Animal Control took those dogs in. But it recently euthanized both dogs, saying they were a potential threat to society and other animals.

Now some people are outraged, saying the dogs could've been saved and adopted. But Animal Control said there were underlying signs that these two dogs were not fit for a family.

While the two precious pups taken in from the abandoned home on Westmoor Street are adorable, animal experts said don't judge an animal by its appearance.

"Emotions in this case are overruling common sense," said Gary Libbey from South Bend's Animal Care and Control.

The dogs are Presa Canarios. They're part of the Mastiff breed. Experts said they're somewhat similar to pit bulls.

The two abandoned dogs were nursed back to health at Animal Control, but their recovery was alarming.

"They showed some aggression to other dogs in the shelter," Libbey said. "They didn't show any outward aggression toward people, but if they show aggression to animals, there's always that possibility."

Libbey noticed the dogs were acting out, and that's why they were put down.

"We were only willing to give them up to someone who has a strong background in this type of breed," Libbey said.

He said there aren't any places in the country that specialize in taking in this breed.

But some said they were willing to take the risk.

"We were with those dogs for an hour. They never showed any kind of hostility," said Bill Sykes from the Michiana Animal Alliance.

Sykes said his friend wanted to adopt the dogs, knowing they were possibly dangerous.

"Animal Control, to me, jumped the gun on this one," Libbey said.
 
Sykes said regardless of the dog's behavior, they should have been given a chance.

"I wouldn't call myself an expert," Sykes said. "I don't have a college degree on this, but I go on gut feeling, and instinct and years of experience being around animals."

Animal Control said they can't rely on a dog lover's gut feeling; their job is to make the tough decision.

"I'm not the bad guy," Libbey said. "It's the person that abandoned the dogs. We have a responsibility to not only protect the animals in our community, but also the community as a whole, and there were just too many questionable factors with these dogs for me to feel secure in putting them out in the community."

The St. Joseph County prosecutor's office is investigating to find the owner of the abandoned dogs.

Mark Roule, the chief deputy prosecuting attorney on this case, said last week that his office told Animal Control the dogs were not needed as evidence for the investigation.

He said they leave it up to Animal Control to determine how to handle the animals. They don't instruct Animal Control or have any role in what they do, because they feel Animal Control personnel are the experts.

The South Bend Police Department said the prosecutor's office is handling this case.

Capt. Phil Trent said the only reason police were called to the abandoned home on Westmoor Street on May 12 was because Animal Control found a weapon inside that home.

Trent said Animal Control is working with the prosecutor's office on the case.