Vicious attacks prompt Tekoa to ban pit bulls

After two pit bull attacks that bloodied a woman and nearly crippled a 31-year-old mare, Tekoa city council Monday night outlawed new pit bulls in town.

“When that dog got loose, he went up the street and tore into the first breathing thing he saw,” Doug Sienknecht told the council Monday. The Sienknecht’s mare was attacked by a neighbor’s pit bull June 4, which ripped apart the horse’s front legs.

The council also approved a new code enforcement officer position who will enforce Tekoa city codes, especially any more issues with pit bulls.

In addition to banning more pit bulls in town, the council voted in strict guidelines for residents who already have pit bulls in Tekoa.

On June 4, a woman who lived up the street from the Seinknechts lost control of her pit bull as she tried to move the dog between her car and her mobile home.

The dog broke free, ran up the street and entered the pasture where the Seinknechts had three horses; a 31-year-old mare and two geldings.

The pit bull attacked the mare, tearing off most of the skin behind her front legs. The two geldings in the pasture then attacked the dog, kicking and biting it. The dog retreated.

“The only thing that got that dog off my horse was my other horses. And they pounded him good,” Sienknecht told the council.

A neighbor down the street witnessed the attack and called the Sienknechts. The horse is now recovering. The dog was later put down.

Members of the Tekoa council were concerned with the attacks and said several times they were very much in favor of passing measures to protect citizens.

“I have little boys and little girls. It scares me to death to think there’s a viscous pit bull in town,” said councilman Troy Wilson.

In early May, a Tekoa woman was walking back to her parked car when a pit bull ran up and attacked her. The dog bit at her hands and arm. The woman ended up getting stitches in one hand and suffered bite wounds on her arm. The dog was transported permanently to Plummer.

For the code enforcement officer, the council elected Tekoa councilman Mike Bogenreif. Bogenrief already serves as a deputy with the Whitman County Sheriff’s office.

For $500 a month, with no requirement of hours, Bogenreif will enforce city codes. The city of Tekoa is under a contract with Whitman County for law enforcement, but those officers don’t enforce city codes.

Bogenreif formerly served as a Tekoa police officer before the local department was dissolved several years ago. The city then contracted with the sheriff’s office to provide police services.

The city needed someone to enforce all city codes, including the new pit bull prohibitions.

Mayor John Jaeger said in the past few weeks he has received several complaints about burning piles and junk cars left in the street, issues that are prohibited under Tekoa codes.

But the two attacks from pit bulls in the past two months prompted the city to take action.

“There was a need for it. The guys have been busy trying to fix other problems in the city. They need help responding to some of these complaints they were getting,” Bogenreif said.

After the new laws kick in July 31, any pit bull owners within Tekoa must be registered with the city, including a photo on file of the dog. It can never be loose in the city without being on a leash and fitted with a muzzle; it cannot be sold or given to anyone else in the city.

Owners must display a sign on their home saying, “Beware of Dog.” The dogs must be vaccinated for rabies, have a microchip and will not be allowed in city parks.

Puppies born to pit bulls must be out of town after eight weeks.

“They are trying to make it so they won’t have them here,” said Kynda Browning, Tekoa city clerk.

The new laws go into effect July 31.

After July 31, pit bulls cannot be brought into town, and Tekoa residents are prohibited from keeping out-of-town pit bulls for any length of time.

No opposition to the pit bull law was expressed during the session.