Since the initial incident Dec. 16 when his goat was killed, one
resident says he has seen the dogs, most recently today. Neither he
nor the efforts of Hollister Animal Control have pinpointed their
homes.
HOLLISTER
Residents of Union Heights Drive and surrounding areas are concerned about two German shepherds roaming the area since at least Dec. 16, and one local contended they killed a goat, four sheep and a dog.
“I don’t go out to the barn without a rifle anymore or let my daughter play outside by herself,” said Union Heights resident Kevin Bladow.
Since the initial incident Dec. 16 when his goat was killed, Bladow has seen the dogs, most recently today. Neither he nor the efforts of Hollister Animal Control have pinpointed their homes.
Bladow explained that he ran out on Dec. 16 when his wife, Jackie, noticed a commotion in the backyard.
He arrived to see the two dogs over the family’s pet goat, Joanie, which was “nearly dead” by the time he arrived on the scene and scared off the attacking animals with a metal bar he had grabbed on the way out of the house.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t grab a gun,” said Bladow.
The family then called the San Benito County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrived, investigated the scene and took a description of the dogs that were, according to Bladow, “beautiful German Shepherds – clean, groomed and well fed.”
A partial online report from the sheriff’s office confirms that a goat was reported killed at Bladow’s home and that the dogs remained at large at the time of the report.
According to Lt. Roy Iler of the sheriff’s office, the matter was immediately turned over to animal control after deputies had responded and attempted to help capture the animals.
Animal control officials did not immediately return calls from the Free Lance regarding the German shepherds.
Bladow phoned animal control the next day and the department responded to the scene, he said, while confirming to the family that the another nearby ranch had four sheep killed and that another close residence reported their dog killed.
Bladow said when he saw the dogs Monday morning, they still appeared to be well cared for, which he believes indicates the owners know of the dogs’ roaming.
“It’s my suspicion that the dogs returned home all bloody and were cleaned up by their owners, who obviously know what’s going on.”
Bladow reports that his wife, Jackie, is “very upset” by the loss of their goat.
“It was like a pet dog to the family,” Bladow commented. “Jackie has had her since 2000 and was really sad to lose her like this.”
