Case Against Oxford Dog Owner Continued

The owner of Newfoundland dogs that attacked and killed another dog over the summer at a local park still does not know what kind of punishment she will face from the court system.

Vicki Tkacz appeared briefly at Derby Superior Court on Thursday where a judge told those in attendance that he met behind closed doors with both parties to discuss a pending application by Tkacz for accelerated rehabilitation, AR, and that some ancillary issues need to be resolved, according to the Valley Independent Sentinel. AR is a special form of probation for first-time offenders who can see their record wiped clean if they stay out of trouble for a specified amount of time.

The case was continued to March 16, at which time Tkacz is expected to learn if the AR is accepted.

Tkacz’s four Newfoundland dogs killed Roxi, an 11-year-old Labrador mix at on July 26. Three days later, Tkacz was charged with obstructing the duty of an animal control officer, failure to obey a quarantine order, four counts of allowing dogs to roam and four counts of animal nuisance. All are misdemeanor charges.

The case has led to several local debates as well as many criminal and civil charges. Those are, according to Patch archives:

• Tkacz is charged in separate cases with two counts of allowing a dog to roam. Ralph Crozier, Tkacz' attorney, said the town reviewed old videos and claimed that the Newfoundlands were off their leashes prior to the Jackson Cove mauling.
• The Severson family sued Tkacz in August, asking for at least $15,000 for medical bills, veterinary bills and emotional distress. Crozier has asked a judge to add the Town of Oxford and Tkacz’s home insurance agent as additional defendants to the lawsuit. That case is pending.
• Tkacz has a civil injunction filed in Superior Court in Milford. Crozier said the injunction also compels Oxford to take better care of the two Newfoundlands the town still has in its possession.
• The state Department of Agriculture’s animal control division is reviewing the case as well.

Read more about this story on the Valley Independent Sentinel's website here.