Los Banos Community Press Police After Cat Killing, Car Damage

LOS BANOS, Calif. — Los Banos police say they have identified the owners of two pit bulls accused of killing a cat and damaging multiple vehicles, but residents say they are still frustrated by what they see as a lack of immediate action.

The update comes one day after FOX26 reported on complaints from residents who say the dogs have been roaming neighborhoods, attacking animals and causing thousands of dollars in property damage.

One of those residents is Patricia Allen, who says surveillance video shows the dogs chewing and clawing at her parked vehicle for approximately 15 minutes while attempting to reach a cat hiding underneath.

“Right now it sits at $2,700, but they're thinking it's going to be up to $5,000 in damages,”

Allen said.

Allen says she recently reported a dead kitten found in the neighborhood and was told the same dogs had been reported roaming the area again today.

She also says she was left confused after hearing authorities needed another violent incident before the dogs could be officially classified as dangerous.

"The police need, they say they need one more incident that's putting either an animal's life in danger or a human being themselves," Allen said.

Allen is not the only resident who raised that concern.

Earlier this week, Sonya Runnells, whose cat was killed in an attack captured on surveillance video, told FOX26 she had received similar information.

"They've let me know that we need one more violent attack to go ahead and deem these dogs dangerous," Runnells said.

FOX26 took those concerns directly to Los Banos Police Commander Justin Meldon.

When asked whether the department was waiting for another attack before taking action, Meldon said.

"No, we are not waiting for anything," Meldon said.

According to Meldon, police identified the dogs' owners after going door-to-door in the neighborhood. He said multiple citations have been issued and investigators are continuing to explore options under city ordinances and state law.

Police are also treating the cat's death and the car damage as related incidents.

A point of confusion for residents centers on Los Banos' vicious dog ordinance.

The city's municipal code states a dog may be considered dangerous or vicious if it attacks or causes severe injury to a human or domestic animal.

When FOX26 asked Meldon whether that description applied to the dogs involved in this case, he acknowledged police had identified the owners and taken enforcement action.

However, he said the dogs have not yet been officially designated as vicious under the ordinance.

"The animals themselves have not been deemed vicious through the ordinance. That's a process that has to take place. I will say that the investigation is currently underway," Meldon said.

For Allen, the unanswered questions extend beyond the legal designation.

She wants to know who will ultimately pay for the damage to her vehicle.

Meldon said that issue will likely be handled outside the criminal justice system.

"That situation definitely needs to be remedied. It's likely a civil matter between the animal owners and the person whose vehicle was damaged," he said.

Article Originally Published At: https://kmph.com/news/local/los-banos-pet-owners-fear-more-attacks-after-cat-killed-cars-torn-apart