Judge Allows Bethany Bulldogs To Live, But Must Leave

On Thursday, News 9 reported on the battle brewing over two American bulldogs in Bethany accused of attacking their neighbor, who is the Bethany Police Chief's wife.

11/6/14 Related Story: Dispute Over Bulldog Attack In Bethany

With the dogs ousted from the city, the owners have to find new place for them to stay.

Since Saturday's dog attack, the Werner family put up a new fence and paid several citations.

But it wasn't enough to stop the judge from banning both their bulldogs from Bethany.

"A house is not a home without all of your family members," said Cailin and Cole Werner, who own 14-month old Brutus and 7-month old Athena.

"We want to go where our entire family is welcomed, whether their two legs or four legs."

Last weekend, the dogs broke through neighbor's fence. The police chief's wife Amy Cole said she was attacked.

"He kept jumping on me and biting me and jumped on my back," Cole said in court.

In a 3-hour Bethany Municipal court hearing, Cole showed bruises on her arm as attorneys faced off to determine if the bulldogs needed to be put down.

"I was yelling back to sit," said Bethany Police officer Nathan Meyers, who testified he was bitten, cut and bleeding when he responded to the Cole's home, so he pepper sprayed one dog.

The dogs' veterinarian, Dr. Emily Redden of Council Veterinary Hospital, said the dogs are not vicious, just dominant puppies.

In the end, the judge ruled that both dogs be removed from the city. It was a tough decision for both parties.

In a statement, Chief Phil Cole said:

“At no time did we ask for the dogs to be put down. The neighbor's dogs have busted through our fence five times before, injured our dog and this time my family. We never filed a complaint. I was out of town during the attack, so my wife called the police, who reported it."

The Werners said whether they made mistakes or not, they're moving on.

"As soon as we can get a new place to live and get this place sold, we'll be bringing them home," said Cole Werner.

For now, the dogs are with their vet Dr. Redden.

The Werners not only have less than 10 days to move their dogs, they also have that time to make an appeal, which they don't plan on doing.

Learn more about helping the family relocate the dogs.