Police in Roy catch ‘vicious’ dogs attacking people and horses in park

The police said criminal charges could be brought against the owner.

Police in Roy are investigating whether to press charges against the owner of three dogs that wreaked havoc in a city park on Monday, reportedly biting two people and attempting to attack police officers and horses.

According to a news release, officers were called to Emma Russell Park, 5700 S. 4300 West in Roy, just after 4 p.m. Monday for a report of three dogs being aggressive and “trying to reach” a child in the park. While police were en route to the park, dispatchers received “several” more calls reporting the dogs had bitten people.

Ultimately, the press release said, two people were bitten and required medical attention. The case was still “active” and under investigation as of Monday evening. The press release said the owner could face charges for violating the city’s loose animal, dangerous dog and nuisance animal ordinances.

The department did not immediately respond to The Salt Lake Tribune’s request for more information on the case Tuesday morning.

The attacks

According to the release, when officers arrived at the park on Monday, they discovered the dogs in a pasture on the west side of 4300 West, where they were “being aggressive and attacking horses.” Officers attempted to catch the dogs with a catch pole – a sturdy pole with a retractable cable loop on the end – and were attacked themselves, the release said.

The police were finally able to catch a dog with the pole.

They caught another dog after it “attempted to attack a police officer,” who then shot it with a beanbag round, a non-lethal projectile fired from a shotgun. The dog was injured, stopped attacking, and ran to his nearby home. The third dog was caught by police with the help of his owner.

All three dogs are now in the care of Roy City Animal Control. The injured dog was taken to a veterinarian for treatment, while the other two were taken to the Weber County Animal Shelter for 10 days where they were quarantined.

“Our priority is the safety of Roy City citizens and their freedom to feel safe in public areas and parks,” the press release states. “Dog owners have a responsibility to ensure their dogs are properly controlled and registered with Roy City Animal Control at all times.”