Charges have been filed in Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Court against the owners of two dogs that attacked three people on Sunday April 23rd during a community clean up event, including a City park department employee who was taken by ambulance to the hospital due to the severity of her wounds. 

The dog owners have been charged with: 

– Two counts of failing to obtain a city license

– Two counts of failing to display a city license

– Two counts of allowing a dog to run “at large”

– Two counts of public nuisance

– One count of failing to spay a pitbull

Records with the city’s Animal Services Department, a division of KC Pet Project indicate the dogs were reported loose twice before, once in December, 2022 and January, 2023. 

According to Tori Fugate, Chief Communications Officer for KC Pet Project, the dogs were secured from the owner the day after the attacks and taken to the shelter for a mandatory, ten day rabies hold. With the severity of the charges and for public safety reasons however, KC Pet Project will be moving forward with humane euthanasia of both dogs. 

One of the dogs a female pit bull was pregnant at the time of the attack. According to Fugate, the dog gave birth to her puppies earlier this week. “Most of those pups have placement with a rescue group so they’ll be bottle-fed and transferred out for adoption,” Fugate said. “It’s a really difficult situation all around.” 

This has been an extremely traumatic ordeal,” the Parks department employee said. “My heart goes out to those dogs, that’s the most unfortunate part. The owners however, need to be held accountable.” 

A June 6th court date has been set in Kansas City Municipal Court. Each of the charges carries a maximum $500 fine and, or 180 days in jail.