Two dogs that attacked a pregnant Tacoma woman so severely that doctors induced labor will not be euthanized, at least not yet.
A city hearing examiner ruled Tuesday that the animals can be relocated to a secure facility outside Tacoma instead, giving their owners 30 days to arrange the transfer or face a euthanasia order.
The ruling upheld the city's dangerous-dog designation for both animals but stopped short of the default outcome under Tacoma's ordinance, which generally requires euthanasia once appeals are exhausted.
The owners must prove a qualifying shelter will accept the dogs and cover all transport and maintenance costs themselves.
The attack happened June 26 near the victim's Tacoma home. Renee Wilson, a 14-year nursing veteran who was due to give birth that day, was carrying a boxed car seat when the two dogs ran loose and approached her and her Chihuahua, according to the hearing examiner's findings reported by KING 5. Wilson stepped between the dogs and her pet. Both animals turned on her, biting her wrist, abdomen, leg and head.
Wilson was hospitalized for about a week and a half with puncture wounds and lacerations that became infected, including MRSA and cellulitis, KIRO 7 reported. Her injuries were severe enough that doctors induced labor. Her baby boy was delivered unharmed.
Nearly two months later, Wilson told KIRO 7 the physical and psychological toll has not eased.
"I can't do nursing anymore. I have PTSD. I have night terrors," Wilson told KIRO 7.
Wilson told the station she believes the dogs should have been euthanized because they will simply endanger someone else wherever they are rehomed. Neighbor Jerrica Washington, who said her children would have been in the alleyway had she not called them inside, echoed that concern.
The hearing examiner found both dogs met Tacoma's legal definition of dangerous because they inflicted severe injuries without provocation. The city's code defines severe injuries as puncture wounds or lacerations requiring treatment, or injuries resulting in infection.
What happens next
The owners have 30 days from Tuesday's ruling, or approximately Sept. 17, to relocate the dogs to a state-law-compliant secure facility outside Tacoma. If they fail, the animals must be humanely euthanized. Either party has 14 calendar days, until approximately Sept. 1, to seek reconsideration. The ruling can also be appealed to Pierce County Superior Court.
Attempts to reach the dogs' owner for comment were unsuccessful, KIRO 7 reported.
Tacoma residents can report dangerous-dog concerns to Animal Control at (253) 627-7387, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with emergencies only handled until 8 p.m. For animal emergencies on weekends, call 911.
