http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/family-dogs-fatal-bullhead-city-attack-be-euthanized December 30, 2013 - 12:50pm Updated December 30, 2013 - 4:23pm
Family dogs in fatal Bullhead City attack to be euthanized
Five family dogs that wounded a former Bullhead City mayor and killed her husband in a weekend attack will be euthanized.
Diane Vick, mayor of the Arizona town from 1999 to 2007, asked that the pets be “put down” after a 10-day quarantine, Bullhead City police Capt. Tad Appleby said Monday.
Vick, 65, and her 64-year-old husband, Thomas Vick, were home alone with their six dogs when a female 40-pound shepherd attacked a 14-pound cocker spaniel Sunday evening, Appleby said. Four other dogs, a boxer named Dempsy and three boxer mixes weighing between 45 and 60 pounds, joined the initial skirmish, he said.
“It culminated in a big dog fight,” Appleby said. “All six animals got involved. Mr. Vick got in the middle of it.”
The couple were taken to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center after suffering bites and cuts to their legs. Thomas Vick died at the hospital, possibly from bleeding to death through a cut to his femoral artery, Appleby said.
Investigators believe Dempsy inflicted the fatal wound, he said.
An autopsy will determine what killed Thomas Vick, a teacher at Mohave High school in Bullhead City.
Diane Vick was flown to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in Las Vegas for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
Hospital spokeswoman Amanda Powell said she was in good condition Monday.
The cocker spaniel died of injuries from the dog fight. The other five dogs were being held at the Bullhead City Animal Control shelter, where they’ll be monitored for signs of rabies.
Investigators don’t believe any of the dogs have rabies, but if they do Diane Vick would receive additional treatment for the disease, Appleby said.
With their six dogs, the Vicks were violating a Bullhead City law that limits three dogs per household, Appleby said.
