3 Dogs Owned By Hoboken Man To Be Euthanized After Hotel Attack, Judge Rules

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — Three dogs that attacked a couple at a Red Roof Inn last month will be killed, Secaucus Municipal Court Judge Karen Boylan ruled Tuesday.

At least one of the dogs — which are owned by a Hoboken man — was also involved in an attack two days later at the Hoboken ShopRite.

Boylan gave dog owner Robert Braxton 20 days to file an appeal in the case.

That means Braxton has until 1 p.m. on March 23 to file an appeal of her decision. Braxton does not have a lawyer and represented himself in court Tuesday.

If he doesn't file an appeal, the dogs will be euthanized anytime after 1 p.m. on March 23, the judge said.

"Mr. Braxton, you did not recognize [your] role and responsibility as a good dog owner. You’ve failed. You’ve absolutely failed," the judge told Braxton. "I do find that your three dogs are vicious and they are going to be put down."

Braxton, 42, was present in court Tuesday after being ordered to appear.

Immediately after court ended, Patch asked Braxton if he planned to appeal, and he and his wife said they would not be answering any questions. Braxton's wife shielded his face as they hurried out of Secaucus Town Hall.

Judge Boylan said she has "never seen anything like this in 30 years of doing criminal law ... At 10:10 a.m. I signed a warrant [for Secaucus Police to seize the three dogs]. At 1 o' clock we have another incident in Hoboken, and this time a dog victim."

"Your dogs deserved better than this," were Boylan's final words to Braxton as she closed court Tuesday.

Prosecutor Says Dogs Should Be Put Down

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Brenden Brower testified Tuesday that the three dogs should be euthanized. Brower told the court how a married couple from Upstate New York, staying at the Red Roof Inn with their kids, were attacked by the three dogs. The dogs are Cane Corsos, which are Italian guard dogs.

Shortly before 8:30 p.m. Feb. 16, the man and woman were walking in the parking lot with their kids. Braxton was staying in a room in the motel when his three dogs ran out, officials said. With no provocation or warning, they ran at the couple and attacked them, dragging the woman to the ground first, said the assistant prosecutor.

When her husband went to help her, the dogs "lunched for his head and his neck," said the prosecutor.

"The attack was unprovoked; it was extremely aggressive and it was a prolonged assault," said Brower. "Especially the face and arms of the man ... The scars on his face are not going away. It is something he will have to live with for the rest of his life."

The man and woman were rushed to Hackensack University Medical Center, where the woman had surgery on her leg.

Hudson County Humane Officer Jeffery Santini, who responded to the Secaucus attack, also testified.

He said he doesn't believe the dogs can be re-homed, and there's a strong chance they will seriously injure somebody again, or kill a person.

"They cannot be re-homed," said Santini. "The temperament of these dogs; the bites they did —"

He saw video and "the way they attacked the Asian couple at the Red Roof — I’ve seen dogs bite and let go. These dogs attacked like they wanted to hurt, maim or kill."

After Santini testified, Braxton told the judge,"It’s obvious he has his own opinion of the dogs. I have plenty of people who are willing to adopt the dogs because of this unfortunate situation."

Six photos of the couple's injuries in Secaucus were shown to the court.

Read more about the Tuesday court hearing here: 3 Dogs In Secaucus Hotel Attack To Be Euthanized, Judge Rules

Hoboken Charges

Two days after the Secaucus attack, on Feb. 18, three dogs owned by Braxton attacked two dog walkers at the Hoboken ShopRite, according to officials. Both dog walkers sprained their wrists trying to control the eight dogs they were walking. A bernadoodle dog was also injured.

Braxton was arrested in Hoboken last week and charged with second-degree aggravated assault. He is currently out of jail, but is not allowed to own any animals until the criminal charge against him is resolved.

In total, Braxton had six Cane Corsos, three of which he surrendered to Liberty Humane Society in Jersey City. The other three are being held at the Secaucus Animal Shelter.

Prior reporting:

2 Children Present In Secaucus Cane Corso Dog Attack, Police Say

Dog Owner Arrested In Attacks At Hoboken ShopRite And Secaucus Hotel

Cops Seize Dogs In Attacks At North Jersey Hotel And Supermarket, Police Say