Push for tougher ordinance after dog mauling

Donna Syracuse says her tiny pup was mauled to death by two aggressive neighborhood dogs that were running wild in the streets.  Now, she wants make sure this never happens again to any other pets.  

She says the attack happened after her dog, Reese, had just returned from a walk at Secret Lake Park in Casselberry.

"She was on her leash, and one door away from home, when she was viciously attacked and killed by two large dogs. This attack was completely unprovoked," she says. "Two of the people with her were also injured by those dogs during the attack."

The seven-pound Reese didn't stand a chance, she says, and passed away as they rushed to the veterinarian.  

"She died in my arms, by the time we got to [U.S. Highway] 17/92," she says.

Seminole County Animal Services says that, unless an animal is relinquished to them, they cannot take possession of it until it injures a person or has killed multiple pets.  In this incident, the owner of the two dogs turned the animals over to the county.  They have been placed in quarantine and are set to be put down.

Syracuse has launched a petition and plans to go to the county and city to ask for a tougher animal control ordinance.