Special workshop called to examine ‘obviously’ flawed Benton County animal control system

Karlee Van De Venter
·2 min read

The Benton County sheriff called on county commissioners Tuesday to work with him on a solution to the “obviously” failing system for responding to potentially dangerous dogs.

Sheriff Tom Croskrey’s request followed a series of citizens expressing outrage or raising concerns about the recent killing of two Rottweilers by sheriff’s deputies in a pocket of county land in Kennewick.

Three deputies responded on March 2, a Saturday morning, to reports of three “aggressive dogs” running lose in a residential area. No people or other animals were attacked but the dogs were barking and some neighbors were concerned.

Employees with Benton County Canine Shelter did not respond, and the deputies shot and killed two of the dogs. The third ran away and later returned home.

When a local family’s three pet rottweilers got out, they took to social media for help. But they soon discovered the worst, when they were informed two of their dogs were shot and killed by deputies. Photo from the Facebook page of the close family friend, reporting information on the family’s behalf.
When a local family’s three pet rottweilers got out, they took to social media for help. But they soon discovered the worst, when they were informed two of their dogs were shot and killed by deputies. Photo from the Facebook page of the close family friend, reporting information on the family’s behalf.

The deaths of the family pets and the confusion over the response to animal calls in Benton County has sparked complaints from the owners and others in the community.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office initially called a news conference for Tuesday afternoon but then canceled it a few hours later after the public comments at the county commission meeting.

All six people who spoke during the public comment session asked about the Rottweilers and county protocols and urged changes in the way Benton County handles animal calls.

“I have always been a staunch supporter of law enforcement, because I understand that civilized society requires law and order,” said one speaker. “Having said that, for the first time in my life, I am not comfortable around my local law enforcement organization.”

Sheriff Croskrey responded to the concerns by saying he’d like to meet with the speakers, including the dog owner, to talk more about the issues.

He said the best path forward would be hiring more trained animal control employees so deputies don’t have to respond to such calls.

“I’d certainly like to work with the commissioners and partner with them and make a better system in place, because what we have now obviously is a failing system, or it’s not working as well as it should be,” Croskrey told them.

The Benton County Canine Shelter is at 1116 N. Grant Pl. in Kennewick.
The Benton County Canine Shelter is at 1116 N. Grant Pl. in Kennewick.

The Benton County Canine Shelter currently has two employees and a part-time employee currently on maternity leave to respond to calls about loose dogs.

They are supposed to work a standard 40-hour workweek and are to assist the sheriff’s office with calls during the regular weekdays.

“I’ll ask again,” Croskrey said to the commissioners when asked about improving their protocols. “Will you fund an animal shelter and animal control for the sheriff’s department, so we can run it 24/7?”

The commissioners agreed to schedule a public workshop session, including the canine shelter, sheriff’s office and commissioners, in the next two weeks to look closer at the options.

In the meantime, shelter staff offered the sheriff’s office access to its facilities, tools and training.