Dogs Kill Petting Zoo Animals At Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

SAN JOSE, CA – Five beloved petting zoo animals, four miniature horses and a donkey, are dead after two attacks earlier this month by two or three dogs that dug under two fences at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo in San Jose, a park spokeswoman said.

"We are still grieving the loss of our miniature horses and Sicilian donkey," zoo director Valerie Riegel said Tuesday. "It is never easy to say goodbye to beloved animals, and it is especially difficult knowing these animals were adored and enjoyed by so many of our staff, members, and community."

One horse was found dead at about 7 a.m. Jan. 15 while the other three and the donkey were found dead at about 7 a.m. Jan. 20, Carolina Camarena, spokeswoman for the city's Department of Parks, Recreation and
Neighborhood Services, said.

One of the dogs suspected in the attacks was captured at the zoo while the other was found near the zoo about three days after one of the attacks.

The dog found outside the zoo resembles a dog seen in a video walking around the zoo, but the video is grainy so it's unclear whether the correct dog has been captured.

The third dog, a Chihuahua, is at large but not believed to be a threat to anyone. Julie St. Gregory, spokeswoman for the city's Animal Care & Services, said the Chihuahua was probably not involved in the attack other than watching it occur.

St. Gregory said if the owners of the two captured dogs, which are both domesticated dogs, do not come forward the dogs will be euthanized.

"They will not be released," St. Gregory said.

But if the owners do come forward, the dogs could be released if the owners go to a "dangerous dog" hearing, though that may be prohibitively expensive.

St. Gregory identified one dog as a Belgian Malinois mix, and the other was a similar mix.

Camarena said crews have reinforced zoo fencing, increased patrols and set traps for dogs or wildlife. Zoo officials will continue to take steps to protect the animals, she said.

"Our priority is to ensure all of our zoo animals are safe," Camarena said.

Dead are a Sicilian donkey named Maybelline, born at Happy Hollow in 1987 and named for her long eyelashes, and four horses named Luna, Spice Girl, Sweet William and Cayenne, all part of the petting zoo, officials said. Luna was born at the zoo in 1994, Spice Girl and Sweet William arrived at the zoo in 2001 and 2002, respectively.

Cayenne was born at the park in 2007, and sired by Sweet William. "She lived up to her name with her spicy personality," Riegel said. "They will all be deeply missed."

"We are grieving here at the zoo," Camarena added.

Zoo officials said the staff is enhancing safety measures at the park including having the zoo fence line inspected daily for signs of intrusion and housing barn animals in the enclosed barn after park hours.

"Overnight security is monitoring inside the zoo for any activity," said Angel Rios Jr., director of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services. "Staff is actively exploring permanent solutions for increased perimeter security, such as a dig-proof barrier along the perimeter."

Community members have offered support and sympathy for zoo staff and the equines. Camarena said zoo officials are going to have a memorial service for the animals, but no date has been set.

Anyone wishing to contribute or share fond memories can contact Charlotte Orr, HHPZ conservation and communications manager.

"One important take-away from all of this is to encourage folks to keep pets safe by keeping them secure," Riegel added. "We all love our animals, and responsible pet ownership is the best thing you can do for the animals you love."

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--Bay City News contributed to this post/Images via City of San Jose