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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