Garner Police Deny Dangerous Animal Permit
After careful review, the Garner Police Department has denied the request for a Dangerous Animal Permit for the two dogs, Blitzen and Athena. The dogs were seized on 4/27/2021 by the Garner Police Department after attacking 7yo Jayden Henderson and her mother at the home at 156 Roan Drive. Jayden died of her injuries sustained from the attack. The animals are currently being held at the Wake County Animal Shelter.
Post Date:05/24/2021 10:05 AM
After careful review, the Garner Police Department has denied the request for a Dangerous Animal Permit for the two dogs, Blitzen and Athena. The dogs were seized on 4/27/2021 by the Garner Police Department after attacking 7yo Jayden Henderson and her mother at the home at 156 Roan Drive. Jayden died of her injuries sustained from the attack. The animals are currently being held at the Wake County Animal Shelter.
“We believe that the dogs are just too dangerous to be allowed to be returned to their owners,” said Chief Joe Binns. After reviewing all the information, the attack appeared to occur without warning or provocation. Allowing the dogs to be released would create a substantial and unnecessary danger to the public.”
The animals will continue to be housed at the Wake County Animal Shelter until 60 days from the date of seizure. At that time, the animals will be turned over to the shelter to be humanely euthanized. There are no further avenues for appeal with the Town of Garner, but the owner may appeal to a Superior Court Judge should they wish to challenge the decision.
Courtesy Town of Garner
Vandora Pines Community Stands Against Dangerous Dog Permit
“The neighborhood is very, very concerned. There are a few things they want to make sure you as a board are aware of. The dog has killed one of our jewels, Jayden. Jayden played with many of the children that currently reside in the neighborhood. This will forever be something that is stapled in their minds.”
Watch the petition to council above.
Patrice Johnson, Vandora Pines HOA board member, speaking on behalf of the Vandora Pines community.
BY MARGARET DAMGHANI
Tuesday night, several members of the Vandora Pines neighborhood in Garner attended the Town Council meeting to voice their concerns about dangerous dog permits for two pit bulls, stemming from the April 17 attack on a local mother and her child. The widely publicized attack resulted in the death of eight-year-old Jayden Henderson, and serious injuries to her mother Heather Trevaskis.
“Ultimately the decision on the permit will rest with the Garner Police Department and the Garner Police Chief. The review process for these permits has not been completed at this time,” said Town Attorney Terri Jones. There is no deadline for reviewing it, and the Garner Police are gathering information and verifying the information that has been provided.
Should the permit be approved, the dogs would return to the owners if they fulfill several requirements. Aggrieved parties, either for approval or denial, may submit an administrative appeal to the town’s appeal board, or a judge could file a temporary restraining order or temporary injunction, Jones said.
“The neighborhood is very, very concerned. There are a few things they want to make sure you as a board are aware of. The dog has killed one of our jewels, Jayden. Jayden played with many of the children that currently reside in the neighborhood. This will forever be something that is stapled in their minds. It will cause undue stress to them to have these dogs brought back into the neighborhood, which is the current request of the owners,” said HOA Board Member Patrice Johnson. “At this time, we are asking you to reject this permit request given the nature of the incident and the fact that we have lost one of our children…”
Johnson echoed the worries of residents, saying that even under the best circumstances dogs can escape, and that the requirements of the permit are not enough to ease the anxiety surrounding these particular dogs.
Neighbor and Raleigh Police Officer Blake Dicello was first on the scene of the attack.
Blake Dicello, a longtime Raleigh Police Officer who lives across the street from the home the dogs resided at, intervened in the attack that day.
“That day will change me forever. I did not see two dogs defending their property. That’s not what I saw. I saw two dogs viciously attacking and mauling two unconscious people,” Dicello said. “I stand unequivocally with this community… I see children playing at that intersection daily...In fifteen years, I have never seen anything like what I saw on that afternoon, and I have seen some serious stuff.”
Mayor Ken Marshburn said that the Council has heard the concerns of the community and “will be diligent in pursuing this matter”, and reiterated that the final decision on if the dogs would be allowed to return rests with the Police Chief.
There is currently a “For Sale By Owner” sign outside of the residence.