Two Valley Dogs Destroyed

Two of three animals involved in a recent string of Spokane Valley dog-bite incidents were euthanized Wednesday, and charges against their owners dropped.

Lori Walsh and Kevin Bowman each released their dogs to county animal control rather than appeal dangerous dog designations, said Director Nancy Sattin.

Trina Fleisher, the owner of the other dog involved in three-day run of attacks in the Valley last month, has appealed her chow’s designation as dangerous. Fleisher has said her dog was mistakenly identified as the dog that bit a 5-year-old Dishman girl in the face on April 17, sending her to the hospital.

An appeal hearing before County Commissioner John Roskelley is scheduled for Monday.

Walsh’s dog, a black labrador mix, attacked a 10-year-old Greenacres boy on April 16, sending him to the hospital with multiple bites on his right leg, face and neck.

On April 18, Bowman’s Alaskan husky bit a 7-year-old Newman Lake boy on his right arm, back and left hip. The boy needed 15 stitches to close his wounds.

The children are all recovering from their wounds.

Charges against Walsh and Bowman will not be pursued because the problem has been solved, Sattin said. Fleisher still faces misdemeanor charges of owning a dog that exhibits vicious propensities.

Cliff Bowman, whose grown son Kevin owned the dog, said the charges had nothing to do with the decision to have the dog euthanized.

“There’s no way we could take a chance on this ever happening again,” Cliff Bowman said, adding that the family was stunned the dog attacked. “We feel really bad about the incident.”

Bowman said the dog, which was tied to a deck post, must have been startled when the boy ran by it and up the stairs to retrieve a ball.

Walsh could not be reached for comment. Sattin said Walsh’s insurance is paying for the medical costs.

, DataTimes