By Linda Shepard
C & G Staff Writer

ROCHESTER HILLS — An American bulldog, described as a pit bull-type dog, will be put to death after a recent court ruling. The dog jumped a neighbor’s fence and attacked a Pekinese puppy, severing its spine.

Magistrate Marie Soma of the 52-3 District Court in Rochester Hills listened to testimony from the owners of both dogs, and cited the Michigan Dangerous Animals Act in her ruling March 2.

The Pekinese, a 4-pound puppy named Lacey, was outside in a fenced yard on Harrison, near Dequindre and Auburn, when Zuki, the American bulldog, jumped the fence and attacked Feb. 2, said Lacey’s owner, Katherine Torchia.

 Lacey was in her yard with two other Pekinese puppies, which were not injured. Jumping the fence with Zuki was Xyla, another smaller, pit bull-type dog.

Torchia said she witnessed the attack. “The larger male grabbed [Lacey] and shook her,” Torchia said. A veterinarian determined that Lacey’s spine was severed and recommended putting the dog to sleep. 

“I’m very sorry this happened,” said Rachel Dietrich, who owns Zuki and Xyla. “They have never been aggressive in the past. A Pekinese is a small dog that looks like a stuffed animal. We have one (stuffed animal), and the dogs pick it up and shake it. I believe they were playing.”

Dietrich said Xyla did not cause any harm. “She does not fall into the category of dangerous animal,” she said. Dietrich said the dogs escaped from her locked home and jumped their own fenced-in yard.

Although Soma ruled that Zuki should be put down, she said she would review all documents before making a decision about Xyla, and planned to deliver her decision within a week. Xyla is currently housed in a private kennel.

Rochester Hills City Attorney John Staran appeared at the hearing and said the city could revise a local ordinance to address dangerous dogs “to look for a better way to prevent these attacks,” he said, describing the incident as “tragic and unfortunate.” 

Staran said city officials are currently examining ordinances in other communities. “The extreme end is breed-specific legislation,” he said. “Or it could be specialized confinement, muzzling, tattoos or microchips.”

Ordinance revision options could come before the Rochester Hills City Council within the next several weeks, he said.              

Donald Torchia said he is currently considering a civil suit against Dietrich for $1,437 in damages to pay for the veterinarian’s fees, the purchase cost of Lacey and court costs.

You can reach Staff Writer Linda Shepard at lshepard@candgnews.com or at  (586) 498-1065.