By Ted Streuli
The Daily News
Published November 10, 2003

KEMAH — A German shepherd condemned in April because of an attack that sent a Kemah man to the emergency room is still being housed at the county’s animal shelter.

So far, that’s cost county taxpayers more than $1,700.

Zephyr, a 7-year-old black and tan dog owned by Sandra Reinegal, mauled Mark Magee when he jogged down Anders Lane April 11.

Justice of the Peace Mark Foster ruled April 24 that the dog was dangerous and ordered him destroyed after reviewing evidence and hearing testimony from several witnesses, including Magee and Reinegal.

Reinegal, who could not be reached for comment Friday, asked for an appellate hearing, and County Court Judge Roy Quintanilla ordered Foster to grant her motion.

Assistant District Attorney Ted Moira countered with a motion to dismiss the appeal, claiming the county court has no jurisdiction in the matter.

County Court Judge C.G. Dibrell will hear Moira’s argument Nov. 13; he could throw out the appeal or uphold the earlier ruling and schedule a new trial in the higher court.

Meanwhile, Zephyr is striking terror in the hearts of county animal workers.

“He’s so vicious he destroys the catch poles when we try to move him in his cage so we can feed him,” said Animal Control Director David Smith.

Smith said the county shelter wasn’t designed for long-term care, and the caged dog is getting worse.

“It’s not fair to the animal or fair to my staff,” Smith said. “This animal is incredibly vicious. It’s gotten worse since it’s been here — it’s a monster at this point. The staff is afraid of it. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

Smith said it costs $7 per day to keep a dog at the shelter. As of Friday, Zephyr’s board had cost taxpayers $1,393. The dog also needed veterinary attention and medicine, which totaled $276.50. And Smith said Zephyr had destroyed three catch poles that cost $67.50 each, bringing the total cost through Friday to $1,737.

"The court should make these people responsible for the fees,” said Smith. “It shouldn’t be the taxpayers’ responsibility to pay this.”

While Zephyr’s fate has been mired in litigation, his owner hasn’t managed to stay out of the county’s doghouse.

County records showed that the Reinegals were cited for three violations on Sept. 2 after a white shepherd charged a passing car. Smith said animal control officers unsuccessfully attempted to trap the dog before they knew who owned it. The Reinegals were cited for having a dog at large, failing to register the dog with the county and failing to have proof of current vaccinations, Smith said.

Moira said he’d handled no case similar to Zephyr’s in nearly nine years with the district attorney’s office. "I think the court should grant our motion to dismiss, and the dog should be destroyed,” said Moira. “It’s both my personal opinion and what I believe to be the law.”

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org