Two dangerous dogs who fatally mauled Templeton, a 24-pound terrier on June 30th, have been furloughed by the City and now have gone missing with the owner refusing to talk
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville) today blasted the ineptitude and utter disregard for public safety displayed by the City of Schenectady for releasing two dangerous dogs that have a long rap sheet for mauling and killing, and then losing track of the dogs.
On June 30th, the two dogs owned by Sean McKearn of 1269 Dean Street in Schenectady, leapt out a window and savagely mauled a dog named Templeton that was out for a walk on a leash with his owner Rebecca Cigal of Niskayuna. Templeton, a 24-pound terrier mix, ultimately died from the injuries.
McKearn’s dangerous dogs were involved in two previous attacks on people and pets. The City just released the dogs to McKearn with the promise that they would be kept at a veterinary clinic. However, the whereabouts of the vicious animals are currently unknown.
Tedisco is drafting Dangerous Dog Alert legislation that would instruct municipalities to alert constituents via the web, email or social media when an owner of a dangerous dog has been convicted. Schenectady City Councilman Vince Riggi is pushing for a local version of the Dangerous Dog Alert in the City of Schenectady. Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy initially poo pooed the alert, claiming Tedisco was just seeking headlines and then did a 180 and now wants to expand on the alert.
“Who let the dangerous dogs out? Mayor Gary McCarthy’s Administration. It looks like the Mayor got his headline but not the one he wanted for his Administration. It's ironic the Mayor initially knocked my Dangerous Dog Alert proposal to keep the public safe which was based on an idea from a constituent. And now, he's got to face the news that the public is less safe because these two dogs have been furloughed by the City. This is totally irresponsible and unprofessional to release these killer dogs to an irresponsible owner and then lose track of their whereabouts. The Mayor now needs to create a dangerous dog alert for the whole city because these vicious killers are on the loose,” said Tedisco.
Tedisco also is sponsoring legislation (A.4518A), the Dangerous Dog Owners Deterrent Act that enables law enforcement to charge an irresponsible dog owner up to a felony if their dog seriously injures someone or another dog, carrying a penalty of up to two years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.