City Euthanizes “Dangerous” German Shepherd
Elk Grove officials humanely euthanized a young German Shepherd despite a series of legal challenges to spare its life.
The city labeled Zeus as a “dangerous animal” for biting two people, including a police officer. A media release on the city’s Animal Services Facebook page confirmed the dog’s death on October 28. The post called it a “difficult situation for all involved” and that they did not take the matter “lightly.”
“The city takes its duty to preserve public safety and protect the community very seriously. The dog’s established bite history and dangerous propensities presented too great a risk to public safety for this community.”
-City of Elk Grove
The Elk Grove Animal Shelter housed Zeus since July when officers took him from its owner, Faryal Kabir. Officers determined Kabir did not follow city rules for keeping the dog.
The family said it has no comment.
A legal challenge
Zeus first bit a man on May 16 after returning with Kabir from a dog park. The bite left multiple bite marks on his legs. A week later, the city sent her a letter calling Zeus a dangerous animal.
The city said in its release that it held two hearings with separate hearing officers. A June 8 hearing upheld the city’s description of Zeus. On August 15, the hearing determined Kabir did not timely comply with rules to keep the do, which includes keeping Zeus leashed and within a gated area. The hearing also determined Zeus bit an Elk Grove police officer when they arrived at Kabir’s home to seize the dog.
An order to kill the dog followed, but a wave of support and multiple legal actions to save Zeus erupted. An animal rescue group in Oakland offered to take the dog. Moreover, a Go Fund Me page for legal costs created by Kabir raised $4,335 as of Oct. 29.
Kabir’s attorneys argued Kabir followed all city rules and that officials wrongly took the dog. The courts, however, continued to rule in the city’s favor.
