Cape Coral pet owner angry after dog impounded
Animal Services, police say dog was aggressive
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Cape Coral pet owner angry after dog impounded, learns lesson that could save you money. Video by fox4now.com
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. - A Cape Coral pet owner is learning a costly lesson that could save you money.
Kesh Vanwagoner adopted Cierra, a 55 pound year old rottweiler, eight years ago.
"Hop out of my car," said Vanwagoner, "my dog will lick you to death."
Cierra was abused with barbed wire when he found her which is why he doesn't keep a collar around her neck.
On Aug. 19, when he left to go to church, Vanwagoner says one of his kids left the gate open and Cierra was free to run around the property until Animal Services picked her up.
"I felt violated," he said.
Home surveillance video shows Cierra mostly sitting by the door. You can see her barking at a police car as it pulled into the driveway.
Two hours later, Animal Services appears to lure the dog off the property with treats, before putting her in a van and driving away.
"Why spend so much time and energy going after my dog?," he said. "She wasn't hurting anybody."
Because Cierra was a stray, he didn't have paperwork to prove she was his. So he had to readopt her.
Under Florida Law, that means Cierra had to be spayed and get a microchip installed.
To get her back he had to pay $93.
"For you to just say, 'hey we're going to cut this out of her and stick a microchip in her like it or not,'" said Vanwagoner, "you're messing with my family."
As it turns out, Cape Coral police received a call that morning that Cierra attacked two bicyclists. Vanwagoner checked his tapes and confirms the dog ran into the street barking at two people on bikes.
"The dog needed to be impounded to avoid any other incidents of it chasing and acting aggressive to other residents," said Animal Services spokeswoman Ria Brown. "Had we not impounded the dog there was every reason to believe it would do the same again."
Vanwagoner says he was never told any of that until now.
"I felt I had to pay ransom," he said. "I got no explanation. Just pay me."
Which he did. He now says he'll make sure Cierra's locked up next time he leaves
Animal Services says Cierra was impounded not just for the safety of others but the safety of the dog so she wouldn't get hit by a car.
It's a good reminder to keep your dog on a leash or locked up and to make sure you have all your proper paperwork.
Matt Grant
mgrant@fox4now.com
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