'Absolutely lethal': Garner neighborhood fears return of deadly dogs
Garner officials are deciding whether two dogs involved in a deadly attack should be given back to their owners.
The dogs killed 7-year-old Jayden Henderson, and seriously injured her mother, Heather Trevaskis, on April 27.
The attack happened at the home of Joseph and Amanda White, the owners of the dogs. Trevaskis and her daughter were caring for the dogs while the Whites were out of state.
After the attack, the Whites applied to the Town of Garner for a dangerous dog permit in order to have the dogs returned to them.
In their applications, the Whites say it is not in the dogs' nature to hurt a human. They agreed to build an enclosure for the dogs and keep them muzzled and leashed outdoors.
Raleigh police officer Blake DiCello lives across the street from the Whites. He was at home and off duty when he heard screaming that day and ran to help.
When DiCello got to the scene, he says two dogs were still on top of the child and her mother.
"I basically fought with the dog and was able to get the dog off of [Jayden]," he told WRAL News in an exclusive interview Friday, "and then I turned my attention to Heather who actively had a dog attacking her.”
DiCello says the dogs should not be returned to the Whites.
"How dangerous are these dogs? Absolutely lethal. Absolutely 100 percent, not a doubt in my mind,” DiCello said. "To have the dogs come back, it’s just not right.”
Nearly every resident of the Roan Drive neighborhood where the attack happened has signed a petition asking Garner Police Chief Joe Binns not to return the dogs.
Jenny O’Donnell, a neighbor, started that petition.
“I have had a little over a 100 people that have signed so far,”O’Donnell said. "I don’t know that anyone feels safe that they would be returned at all.”
Binns will make the decision on what will happen with the dogs. If his decision is appealed, it would go to a town panel. A further appeal could end up in court.
Recently, neighbors say a ‘For Sale By Owner’ sign went up in front of the White’s home.
WRAL News spoke with Joseph White on Friday, but he declined to comment.
