CLAYTON, Ind. -- A Hendricks County couple wants their neighbor's dog deemed dangerous after they said it attacked their pet.

Richard and Kathy Settles, of Clayton, had to put down their 8-year-old boxer mix Sampson in early February after the dog was badly injured in an apparent attack, 6News' Joanna Massee reported.

"He had been bitten multiple times all over his body -- his front leg, his neck, his back legs, his eye," Kathy Settles said. "He had flesh hanging out with deep bite wounds. He was just bleeding profusely."

The Settles said they heard a commotion outside their home and looked out to see their neighbor's dogs, Dooly and Ruby, standing by Sampson's limp body.

Both dogs were quarantined, and the Settles said Animal Control officers told them at the time that they were particularly concerned with Dooly, a German shepherd mix.

But on March 8, the agency closed its investigation without issuing any citations.

Hendricks County Administrator Mike Graham said the dogs were not deemed dangerous because no one witnessed the actual attack.

"Some other animal, maybe a wolf, could have attacked the dog," he said. "I don't know."

The Settles said Dooly and Ruby's owner, Valerie Gladden, initially apologized for the attack in a letter, but now denies it ever happened.

"All we're looking for here is for the county to do its job and make sure no one is ever harmed or injured by this dog," Richard Settles said.

Graham said the investigation is complete and the case is closed.

Have A Tough Question You'd Like Answered? Send An E-Mail