[News] Service Dog That Killed Yorkie Taken Out of Public Service

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DENNIS - A service dog that attacked and killed a Yorkshire terrier at a dog show in September has been removed from public service, and members of the local disability committee will advocate for state law to require certification of such animals.

A fund has also been set up to help Evelyn and James Galloway, of California and Dennis, purchase another Yorkie.

Their dog Libby was killed Sept. 23 when a bouvier des Flandres pounced on her at the "Pooches on Parade" dog show at the Dennis Senior Center.

The nearly 100-pound bouvier, named Rafferty, is a service dog for Autumn Daniels, who is in a wheelchair and trained the animal herself. At the time, Rafferty carried items for Daniels in a sack on its back. At home it would fetch things.

Now Rafferty must be on a chain in the yard or inside Daniels home at all times.

"I have given her the word that she cannot take this dog to a public place," Dennis Animal Control Officer Cheryl Malone said. "He is not safe to take out in public. Period. It needs to go to a more suitable home."

Daniels declined to comment for this story.

Earlier this week, the Dennis Disability Committee met for its monthly meeting. After the November elections, the committee will urge legislators to change state law.

"We are going to support any legislator that presents a bill saying that service dogs must be properly licensed in the state of Massachusetts," Disability Committee Chairman Jerry Berger said.

Under federal Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, a service animal must be allowed entry into any place humans venture. They can only be barred if their behavior is dangerous or aggressive. And a dog is considered a service animal if it has been trained to do a task for someone who is disabled.

While service dogs are allowed anywhere, there are no guidelines or requirements to ensure they are properly trained or safe to be in public. There is no Massachusetts or national certification, though several training organizations adhere to self-imposed guidelines.

Changing the ADA would take an act of Congress, so the committee will seek added protection under state laws. Evelyn Galloway is among those leading the charge. She also has an attorney involved.

"My main aim is to get people aware," said Galloway, who received Libby's cremated remains yesterday.

Pooches on Parade has been a crowd-pleaser in Dennis for eight years. Now, its fate, like the bouvier, is unclear.

"I'm so red raw from what happened I can't tell you whether or not we'll have one." Council on Aging Director Paula Dolan-Pare said. "To have that happen, I just can't get over it."

People often chose to train their own animal because waiting lists for a service dog can be as long as 10 years and the animal can cost as much as $10,000.

"That's not possible for a lot of people who are disabled," said Frederick Shotz, president of Assistance Dogs of America, which offers free service animals in the Ohio area and a network of sources for people who want to properly train their own animal.

The program focuses on making sure an animal is properly socialized and has the right temperament to be in public.

"Every civil right requires responsible action by the people with the right," Shotz said.

A fund to help the Galloways purchase a new Yorkie has been set up by A2Z Rescue Inc. of South Yarmouth. Donations should be made payable to the "Yorkie Fund" and mailed to A2Z Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 1072, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. They may also be dropped off at the Dennis Senior Center, at 1045 Route 134 in East Dennis.

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