Hernando officials consider tougher dangerous dog laws after attacks

SPRING HILL (FOX 13) - The second dog attack within a week in Hernando County has residents and politicians talking about policies related to dangerous dogs.

In the most recent case, a family walking their small dog says they were attacked by two larger dogs.

“She called out to him, 'Caspian, Caspian' and she says he lifted up his head and looked at her and that was it,” said Ramon Gutierrez.

The loss of his dog, Caspian is still very fresh for Ramon Gutierrez. He explains he may remember Caspian most for his final actions Tuesday afternoon.

Gutierrez's wife and 6-year-old granddaughter were walking Caspian in their Spring Hill neighborhood when two dogs got out of a neighbor's yard and charged them.

Gutierrez explains Caspian stood, fought, and gave his life so his owners could escape.

“I'm glad or sad that he gave his life but he protected our granddaughter,” said Gutierrez. “He ran against odds that overcame him but if he wouldn't have done that only God knows what would have happened to our granddaughter or my wife.”

But now Gutierrez says he wants the county to take a tougher stance on cases like his and wants to see the dogs who killed Caspian put down.

“I lost my dog. They got citations,” he said. “It's not fair. Its' not fair, that’s totally wrong.”

County Commission Chairman Steve Champion confirms a review of the current dog ordinance is underway and the potential for stiffer civil and possibly criminal penalties could be explored.

“Some of the fines are only as low as $100 well maybe that's not steep enough,” said Champion. “We have to look at the policy and make sure that all of us agree and that's we're going to revisit the whole ordinance and make sure we're protecting the public.”

Champion says he is against a policy that targets a certain breed.

The owner of the dogs who attacked was cited and given a dangerous dog warning, but the dogs were not taken away.