Dog euthanized after another fatal attack

A Georgetown dog has been euthanized after it killed two small dogs in five months and also faced allegations of aggressive behavior toward people and pets.

Moka, a pit bull owned by Edward Street residents Valerie Taylor and her son, Kevaughn Taylor, attacked and killed a neighbor's toy poodle mix on Jan. 12, prompting Valerie Taylor to give up her fight to keep the dog. In fall 2016, Moka was at the center of a state Office of Animal Welfare investigation, after she attacked and killed a toy poodle owned by the same neighbors.

Because Taylor voluntarily euthanized Moka following the recent attack, no dangerous dog hearing was necessary, said OAW spokeswoman Andrea Wojcik.

State animal-control officers initially pursued two dangerous dog hearings against Moka in 2016 to determine whether the dog was too dangerous to remain in the community.

The first hearing, prompted after the first killing, was dismissed by a judge because officers failed to file necessary paperwork within the legally required 72 hours. The second hearing, filed after Moka allegedly charged at and cornered a neighbor on a nearby property, was withdrawn “to preserve evidence for future filings,” a department spokesperson said at the time.

Valerie Taylor could not be reached for comment. The Taylors own a second dog, D.C., who neighbors said has been seen running at large on several occasions.

“This has gone on since August 2015, and I think everyone should be aware how this ended – with another little dog getting killed,” said neighbor April Cleveland.

For more information about the Office of Animal Welfare, go to dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/oaw/oawhome.html.