Lab Mix and Terrier ID'd In Neighborhood Cat Killing

Editor: Orindans Ginny and Bob Harrison lost their beloved cat Oliver to a couple of marauding neighborhood dogs and want to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else. They sent this letter to neighbors and to Lamorinda Patch, and include a couple of sketches of the suspects.

Dear Neighbor,

We live at the end of Oakwood Road on a large lot, part of which is just below Overhill Road. I am sending you this letter to let you know that two dogs came onto our property, just below our living room, and killed our cat, Oliver, on this last Wednesday, Feb. 16 around 5pm. I have seen them before two or three times in the last several months coming onto our property on the Oakwood side off leash. My husband has seen the Lab-type several times out alone, also. One is a blond-tan Lab-type mix, slightly shorter than a full Lab with a few white markings. The other is a dark brown small Terrier type dog. The Lab-type does wear a thin metal choke chain with a tag, but he will not let one close enough to see the tag. One cannot tell whether the little dog has tags because of its shaggy coat.

I was in my yard when I heard two dogs bark, one a deep bark, and the other a high yap—they only barked less than 20 seconds. Realizing that the barking was on our property, I rushed to see if they were chasing my cat, Oliver. In about the 40 seconds that it took me to get where they were, they were standing over my cat’s body, the Lab-type with its mouth at his neck, the other at his rear when I saw them. I chased them off, and then saw that Oliver’s neck appeared to be broken, with teeth marks, saliva, and blood around his neck. I picked him up and Bob and I rushed him to the vet, in case there was any kind of spark of life in him still, but the vet pronounced him dead, probably instantly, from a broken neck.

These dogs apparently know how to quietly sneak up on cats (or other small animals) and attack suddenly, because Oliver was pretty wily, and the dogs made no noise except once, very briefly, probably during the attack. I talked to some neighbors, the Fletchers (corner of Owl Hill and Oakwood Roads) who had seen dogs matching this description in their front yard (where their older cat often sunbathes) that same evening. I want to warn you about the threat these dogs present to your cats if you have any, and I would appreciate it if you have any information about where they may live. I am afraid that the owners have no idea what their dogs are doing, and they need to know. There are also dog ordinances that require owners of dogs that kill domestic animals on other people’s property to provide secure fencing for their animals so that the animals do not get out and cause heartbreak for their neighbors by killing their neighbor’s pet.

At the times I have seen these dogs they have run off down Oakwood Road, up toward Scenic Dr., or toward Owl Hill Road. They also chased a cat at 13 Estates Dr. last week, too. The Lab-type was also seen Monday, February 21 near 26 Oakwood Rd. I would really appreciate any information anyone may have about where the dogs live. You can reach us at (925-253-9205). I also called Animal Control, which will be looking for the dogs. Their number is (925-335-8300, non-emergency extension) if you see the dogs, and you can call and refer to activity #All-003462. Officer Manley was the officer who came out to see Oliver so they will know about the case. When one of the Animal Control officers came by Monday, she noted that two dogs matching these descriptions killed a cat on Overhill Road sometime in January so Animal Control is taking the situation seriously.

Thanks for any help you can give. And keep your cats safe.

Sincerely,

Ginny and Bob Harrison

Oakwood Road

925 253-9205