Fayette County Commissioner Randy Ognio (photo above) was issued two citations from Fayette County Animal Control for his dogs being off his property. A neighbor reported that the two dogs, reportedly Akita breeds, came into her property and killed her cat.
Animal Shelter Director Jerry Collins said the department was contacted on June 23 by Ognio’s neighbor saying that two long-haired dogs came onto her property. The woman said she called the owners and the dogs were picked up.
Ognio was cited for his dogs being loose off his property, Collins said.
Ognio came under prolonged criticism a year ago from local animal activists, including the Fayette Humane Society, for his position against considering privatization of the animal shelter and the shelter’s no-kill record.
Asked about the citations, Ognio on Monday said his family was in South Carolina when the dogs were able to leave his property. Ognio said his brother retrieved the dogs and took them home.
Ognio expressed regret over the death of his neighbor’s cat.
Ognio said the dogs got out of the yard a second time on Saturday and were picked up by animal control. The dogs were taken to Ognio’s home where his father took control of them.
Collins said Ognio was issued a second citation for his dogs being off the property.
