Vicious canine must find new home – soon

COEUR d’ALENE — Ranger has won a reprieve.

After a fiery showdown with Kootenai County commissioners on Monday, the 10-year-old German shorthaired pointer was given a 15-day lease on life.

Commissioners ruled a new home must be found for the unruly dog within that time or face euthanization.

Placing the blame for the dire situation on Ranger’s owner, 73-year-old Robert Darakjy, commissioners said the impounded dog must be adopted out within 15 days or the animal — which is alleged to have attacked and killed two cats and bit the owner of one of those felines — will be destroyed.

“There are no bad dogs. There are only bad dog owners,” Commissioner Bill Brooks scolded.

Threatening legal action against the county, an emotional Darakjy told commissioners he would “die defending my dog.”

On multiple occasions during the 45-minute hearing, Darakjy was directed to calm down by Commission Chairman Chris Fillios.

Ranger was condemned several weeks ago after escaping from his owner’s home on Stanley Hill just east of Coeur d’Alene and killing a cat belonging to neighbor Lauren Hayden.

That incident occurred on May 31. The dog was found loose on several occasions after that, said Sandra Osburn, an animal control officer with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Department.

“There’s been an ongoing pattern of the dog attacking and chasing and killing other animals,” Osburn said. “My opinion is this will continue to occur if the dog is returned to his owner.”

The officer said she has issued two citations against Ranger for chasing or injuring an animal, two citations for being a dog at large and given him at least two official warnings.

“I have not seen responsibility from the dog’s owner,” she said.

Osburn had told The Press that in her 10 years as an animal control officer with the county, a dangerous pet case had never escalated to this point.

Hayden said her cat was killed after Ranger escaped from his home and broke down her screen door, entering her home. While trying to protect her cat, named The Doorman, Hayden sustained a bite on her left arm that required two stitches.

“There was blood everywhere,” Hayden said. “I will never be able to replace my companion. I am a dog lover, but I believe this is absolutely unacceptable.”

Hayden said she has not been reimbursed for medical bills and is still considering legal action against Darakjy.

Commissioners voted 2-1 to extend a reprieve to Ranger while a new home is sought. Commissioner Bill Brooks dissented.

“This dog has been ruined by the neglect of its owner,” Brooks said. “It has already proven to be an untrustworthy dog. How would we feel if this dog went out again and killed? Next time maybe a toddler running away.”

Asked about Darakjy’s abrasive behavior after the meeting, Brooks said the animal owner was out of control.