Feral dog attack causes death of 11-year-old

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the body of a child was found next to a bike on a trail near the intersection of Landmark Ave. and Spruce St. in Eagle Butte. The body was reported to have suffered wounds consistent with canine bites and Tribal police and the FBI undertook an investigation.

The child was later identified as Lester Peneaux (9), son of Terri Rae Collins, who entered the Spirit World in 2021 at the age of 24, and Trent Peneaux. Lester is a part of the Iron Lighting family and under the loving guardianship of Mrs. Dale Iron Lighting.

On Tuesday, May 21, Iron Lighting confirmed the results of an autopsy and investigation by the FBI concluded there was no foul play and the death was the result of an attack by a pack of dogs.

Concern over the number of loose dogs in Eagle Butte and other communities has grown over the last few years. Unofficial estimates go as high as 1,000 loose dogs in Eagle Butte currently. The issue is often cited among the top three issues in the community, along with economic opportunity and housing.

On May 19, 2024, CRST Chairman Ryman LeBeau’s office released a statement regarding the death and measures the Tribe was taking to address animal control.

“A deceased child was found near a bike with injuries that maybe have contributed to his death, but officials have yet to determine the exact cause…There is a possibility it may have been the result of a feral canine attack, but the results will not be determined until the autopsy is conducted.

“To ensure the safety of the community, today, Animal Control and other support programs will be patrolling and picking up animals not tied up, leashed, or in a fence as stated in the ordinance. If it has a collar, the animal will be held for 72 hours at Wakpá Wašté Animal Shelter for its owner to claim, register, and pay the associated fines as stated in the law.”

View the full statement at www.westrivereagle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CRST-Statement-May-19-2024.jpg

A further statement followed on May 20, saying, “As we deal with the recent tragedy of losing a child in our community, we mourn with all the relatives impacted.”

“CRST Animal Control and other support programs have been dispatched to patrol and pick up animals (collared and uncollared) who are not tied up, leashed, or in a fenced yard. Uncollared animals will be processed, per Tribal ordinance.

“Collared animals will be held for 72 hours at Wakpá Wašté Animal Shelter for its owner to claim. Which includes registering and paying the related fines, per Tribal ordinance. After 72 hours, unclaimed collared animals will be processed.

The statement can be found at www.westrivereagle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CRST-Statement-May-20-2024.jpg

A candlelight vigil was held on Tuesday, May 21, at 6 p.m. at the Fitness Center parking lot. CRST Family Violence coordinated the event which supplied candles, balloons, and a light meal.

Mental health and grief counseling services are available at Wakpá Wasté Counseling Services, Phone: (605) 964-0722; Three Rivers Mental Health Center, Phone (605) 964-4210; and The Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Program, phone (605) 964- 8800.

Concern over loose dogs

There have been many efforts over the years to address the issue of loose dogs in Eagle Butte and other reservation communities.

In 2022, Tribal authorities and the Wakpá Wašté Animal Shelter (WWAS) conducted two “Gathering of the Dogs” events, the stated purpose of which was to honor the health of the dogs and the community. Although the program was initiated by Tribal Council, additional funds were not allocated to the animal shelter for the Gathering, so other Tribal programs helped out (www.westrivereagle.com/articles/gathering-of-the-dogs/).

In May 2022, 41 dogs were gathered from Eagle Butte alone. The animals were held for 48 hours to be retrieved by owners. Those not picked up, which was almost all of them, were transported off the reservation to other rescue organizations in conjunction with Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) and the Humane Society of the United States. In 2022, dogs from Eagle Butte went to shelters in Mitchell, Chamberlain and Presho.

Wakpá Wašté Animal Shelter

Ethel Morgan, manager of the WWAS, has been an advocate for responsible pet ownership for a long time. In an interview with the West River Eagle in 2002 she urged owners to get take care of their pets at home and to get them spayed or neutered “so the population does not become overwhelming and uncontrollable.”

The animal shelter, which opened in 2016, is located at 16514 Rodeo Grounds Rd. in Eagle Butte. The location has room for 6-14 dogs and facilities for a veterinary office and surgery. But there is no full-time veterinarian in Eagle Butte, so it falls to WWAS staff to administer vaccines. The nearest veterinarian offices are Faith Veterinary Services in Faith, Oahe Veterinary Hospital in Mobridge and Pierre, and veterinarians in Pierre.

In addition to Morgan, the WWAS has two other fulltime employees, a business manager and an animal control officer.

Animal Control Ordinance

The 2011 CRST Animal Control Code covers dog bites, attacks, dangerous animals, and elimination of unwanted and stray animals. The Ordinance can be found at bit.ly/WRE_CRSTAnimalControl.

Section 12-1-7 states that owners are liable for the actions of two or more dogs acting together. “Where any injury has been caused by two or more dogs acting together and such dogs are owned or kept by different persons, all such persons may be joined or kept by defendants in the same action to recover damages…”

Section 12-1-8 covers “Dangerous Animals” and says Animal Control may seize and impound any animal reasonably believed to be fierce, dangerous or vicious. “Any dog or other animal at large … reasonably believed to have bitten any person, shall be seized and impounded…”

Section 12-1-12 lays out available actions on stray dogs, “It shall be the duty of the Animal Control Program to seize, impound and effect the disposition of unwanted and stray animals on an ongoing basis. If it becomes apparent…there are serious safety and health concerns due to unwanted and stray animal populations, an unwanted and stray animal sweep…shall be authorized…as is required to ensure the safety, health and well being of persons residing on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.”

Free spay/neuter clinics

Wakpá Wašté Animal Shelter partners with Rural Area Veterinary Services (ruralareavet.org) to provide free spay and neuter services and pet wellness days. The next free spay/neuter clinic and pet wellness days are July 21-26 at the CRST Bingo Hall, 916-934 Jefferson St., Eagle Butte, beginning at noon on July 21.

The event is first-come first-served. Pets may be dropped off and owners can come back later in the day when the animals have recovered from surgery. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in carriers.

In June, RAVS will conduct clinics in Lower Brule, Pine Ridge, Mission and Fort Berthold, North Dakota. In August they will visit Mission and Ft. Yates, North Dakota. The clinic schedule can be found at www.ruralareavet.org/schedule.php.

To report an animal or to surrender, call Wakpá Wašté Animal Shelter at (605) 964-7387. To look for a lost pet, check www.facebook.com/crstwwas.

 

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