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Smokey, the dog beaten with a bat, avoids euthanasia

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By Mark Gokavi, Staff Writer Updated 1:22 PM Thursday, September 16, 2010

XENIA — Smokey — the dog whose tale attracted world-wide attention from animal rights groups — will avoid euthanasia and get to live out his days at a pet sanctuary.

At least that’s the plan right now for Greene County authorities, who have begun searching for a suitable organization and a contract that will absolve them of any liability.

“The plan is to find a place — that has the credentials — that can care for him well for the rest of his life,” Animal Control Director Dr. Harold Brown said. “We don’t want him to harm others or be harmed. Smokey’s welfare is the No. 1 thing.”

Smokey, a black-and-tan, 5-year-old Rottweiler/Collie with a history of aggressive behavior toward people, gained a measure of fame due to media reports about him facing death after a Fairborn couple were charged with beating him with a Louisville Slugger baseball bat and hitting him with a car in late July. Brown said Smokey, now recovered, was “severely injured.”

Originally, Greene County officials thought Smokey must be kept in a cage at the Animal Control building until the cases against Chasity Elliott and Robert Profitt in Fairborn Municipal Court were complete. But county administrator Howard Poston said this week that was unlikely.

“We don’t believe the court will ask us to hold the dog,” Poston said. “We’re just starting to look around to see what facilities could meet the public safety requirement.”

Smokey, who bit a 2½-year-old boy over Memorial Day weekend, originally was given to Animal Control for euthanasia. Facebook sites and petitions were started online to save the dog.

Elliott, in a report to Animal Control, alleged Smokey bit her. But Brown said his agency questioned the report and aided in the investigation that led to the pair’s arrest. Elliott has a court date on Monday. Profitt’s court date is Sept. 27.

Ultimately, Smokey’s owner, Ellen Barney, rescinded the euthanasia order and turned over ownership to the county. Now Greene County is looking for the dog’s next home.

Brown is researching contracts between animal control agencies and pet sanctuaries. There is no timetable for the transfer.

“This is a new situation, a precedent-setting situation for us,” Brown said. “Our goal at the end of this is to try to find a suitable situation for Smokey.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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