Attack Dogs Stolen From Shelter

The dogs, Cisco and Roscoe, were impounded after they escaped from their owner's residence April 15 and attacked a dog, the second in a month, police reports state.

Ralph Logner II of 111 Huse St. in Durham is the owner of the dogs.

Laura Walters, executive director of the Animal Protection Society, said Logner was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the theft. After hearing of the theft, he contacted the shelter Tuesday.

"I talked to him Tuesday," Walters said. "He was very upset."

Logner has been served a criminal summons for allowing dangerous dogs to roam without a leash, said Orange County District Attorney Carl Fox.

The case was originally scheduled to be heard in Orange County District Court on May 20, reports state, but now that the dogs have been stolen, the case will be delayed. The case would have decided whether the dogs would be permanently impounded, killed or returned to Logner.

The break-in occurred despite the recent installation of security cameras and an alarm system at the shelter, Walters said.

Even with the security measures in place, no one was caught on the security camera and the alarm was not tripped. The burglary was not discovered until the shelter opened Monday morning.

Entry was gained after two locks were cut, Walters said. "Whoever did it kind of slipped through the back."

No physical evidence or fingerprints were recovered from the scene by police investigators, said Chapel Hill police spokeswoman Jane Cousins.

No other property or animals were stolen from the shelter, Cousins said.

Police are still investigating the theft.

Walters did not speculate as to a motive for the break-in.

"We have no idea at this point -- no suspects have been identified," she said.

The dogs were returned to Logner after the first attack in Chapel Hill on March 24.

In order to regain ownership of the dogs, Logner made repairs to keep his back yard more secure.

"He was cooperative," Walters said.

The circumstances of the dogs' second escape are in dispute.

"They got out of a window," Walters said. "While Mr. Logner believes they were let out intentionally, I know a lot of people would like to see these dogs put to sleep."

Walters said APS has taken the case to court to protect local residents' safety.

"We would support getting whatever changes were necessary to prevent another (attack)," she said.

Walters said appropriate safety measures -- such as the maintenance of a 6-foot fence around pet dogs -- are owners' responsibilities.

The City Editor can be reached at citydesk@unc.edu.