Deschutes County’s ‘Dog Board’ has cast its first vote to euthanize dogs in fatal attack; what else do they do?

(Update: Adding video, comments from county Commissioner Tony DeBone, Dog Board volunteer)

BEND. Ore. (KTVZ) -- After the Deschutes County Dog Board voted 3-0 this week to euthanize three dogs who fatally mauled a man living at a Juniper Ridge homeless camp last summer, NewsChannel 21 wanted to look into the board's purpose and history.

This particular order, involving three dogs a judge had ruled dangerous and an owner who was sent to prison, was unique.

"This is the very first case that we've had dealing with dogs that have attacked a human," board member Sandy Storrie said Thursday.

The board was formed in 1952 as a five-member body to hold hearings for dogs accused of chasing, wounding or killing livestock. The board also determines under state law the dogs' appropriate disposition, and in some cases preventative measures to avoid future incidents.

County commissioners select volunteers for the board, who serve two-year terms.

Commissioner Tony DeBone told us on Thursday, "If we didn't have a Dog Board, it would be in front of us (county commissioners). So we could be doing it downstairs in front of us at a board meeting."

At least two members of the board have to be connected with the livestock industry.

Hearings occur two to six times a year, depending on the severity of a case.

Storrie explained, "Whether they chase, maim, or kill any kind of a livestock, the person who owns that livestock files a complaint, then it goes through the system, then we are asked to convene for a meeting for that."

DeBone added, "If they get aggressive and kill your chicken, (you can say) 'I want restitution for that.' So somebody will say, 'Hey, that chicken could have laid a bunch of eggs, and there's value to me, so I need this resolved.;"

The most famous case the board has dealt with dates back to the 1990s.

In 2022, NewsChannel 21 recapped an incident that occurred in 1997, when Jessie and Chase, a golden retriever and a beagle, were set to be killed after chasing some sheep in southeast Bend. At the time, an Oregon law stated that dogs would be killed if they chased or harmed livestock. The story made national headlines, including a piece in the LA Times and on NBC News.

Both dogs were spared after the family went to court to challenge the county Dog Board's death sentence, and the pair went to live with another family in Deschutes County.

As a result of the case, Oregon state law was amended to allow a relocation option.

"We do have some cases that are not so pleasant," Storrie said, "but we do what we can to help the owners of those dogs to where they can keep their dogs, and keep them out of trouble."

DeBone said, "So it's the pack mentality of the dogs that we're trying to manage."

Every person keeping a dog that has permanent canine teeth, or is six months old, needs a license for their dog. As of Jan. 1 dog license fees in Deschutes County are $22 for neutered or spayed dogs, and $36 for non-neutered or non-spayed dogs.