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Warren County authorities investigating dog mauling

Submitted Coco, a 5-year-old Yorkshire terrier, was attacked in her yard and killed by another dog.

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By Lawrence Budd, Staff Writer Updated 6:13 PM Thursday, May 28, 2009

SPRINGBORO — Warren County authorities are investigating the death of a Yorkshire terrier that was attacked in her yard and killed by another dog.

The five-year-old dog, named Coco, was taken to the family vet in Waynesville after the Tuesday, May 26 attack but died, owner Kymberly Zuba said Thursday.

“I want to make the public aware. This does happen. People need to be aware when they’re outside with their pets,” Zuba said.

About 3 p.m. Tuesday, Zuba said, she and Coco were walking back from her mailbox when they were confronted by a black Labrador.

“She was right at my feet,” Zuba said.

The dog smelled Coco, then grabbed the smaller dog and began shaking her “like a chew toy” and slamming her to the ground, Zuba said.

Zuba said she yelled and hit the lab with her mail to get it to free Coco. Instead, the lab carried Coco to a neighbor’s yard and continued the mauling.

Neighbor Janet Mulcare said she and her Shelties came running after hearing Zuba scream.

Zuba and neighbors wrapped Coco in her husband’s coat and rushed her to the vet, but she was dead.

“My husband and daughter gave Coco to me for my 40th birthday,” Zuba said, trying to control her trembling voice.

Coco was known to those staffing drive-thrus at the local dry cleaners, McDonalds’s and Starbucks.

Mulcare recalled Coco dancing in a circle on her hind legs.

“Everyone who met this little dog fell in love with her,” Zuba said.

Authorities have been unable to identify the killer. If the dog is identified, its owner could be cited for failure to confine or sued in civil court, County Administrator Dave Gully said.

Springboro police unsuccessfully searched for the Lab before turning the case over to the Warren County Dog Warden.

On Thursday, Assistant Dog Warden Mike Hurst said he was awaiting statements from Zuba and witnesses.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how horrible this has been,” Zuba said. “I don’t want this to happen to any other family.”

Like many of her neighbors, Zuba said she and the owner of the suspected killer dog have invisible electric fences.

Mulcare suggested pet owners relied too much on them.

“It’s going to protect other people from your dog, but it’s not going to protect your dog,” she said. “If people would just take the time to train their dogs.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2261 or lbudd@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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Well, you can "not believe it" all you want, but my sweet purebred (very expensive) two-year-old yellow lab, who is like a baby to me, just attacked our OWN family dog about an hour ago. It was a vicious, brutal, completely unprovoked attack against an elderly golden retriever mix dog who's never hurt a fly, and I'm still reeling from it. At this point, this dog that I have loved with all of my heart is now a dog that I no longer trust. I'm not sure what to do anymore. So yes, it can happen.

Susan
7:33 PM, 7/19/2009

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I agree completely with Diane. Labs are not vicious dogs, and I have never heard of a Lab attacking another dog. I don't believe this was a vicious attack (like a pit bull attack drawing blood). Up to the age of 2 to 2 1/2, Labs are very playful and energetic. While I do advocate keeping dogs confined to their yard, and I feel very bad for the owners, it would be sad if the owners of the Lab were severely penalized for this. I also believe the Yorkie should have been on a leash also.

Sue
4:09 PM, 5/30/2009

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I agree with Diane and 44mag.

Dan Edwards
3:55 PM, 5/29/2009

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It is such a tragedy to loose a family dog like that. However, I do believe that the lab didn't intend to kill the little yorkie but probably thought he was playing. It's just not in their nature to attack other dogs, labs are very lovable and playful breeds. My heart goes out to the family for this tragic accident.

Jan
10:35 AM, 5/29/2009

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Some dogs, especially hunting breeds like Labs, have really strong prey drives. A small, yippy yappy Yorkie, barking and jumping around like crazy, can be too much for even the most well-trained dog to resist. You can't overcome millions of years of hardwiring in a canine brain. And it doesn't make the Lab a bad dog.

Diane
9:29 AM, 5/29/2009

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